The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Reopening brings risks but essential
On Canna, owned by the National Trust for Scotland, all overnight accommodation and the island cafe is closed with a review due at the end of July.
Caledonian MacBrayne said due to restricted capacity, places on ferries must be booked but they cannot stop people travelling to the islands.
Meanwhile, the community-owned island of Gigha has reopened businesses, including the hotel.
A local said: “We sent a questionnaire to residents and they said it was up to the Scottish Government to decide (about reopening).”
The ferry to the community-owned island of Ulva is not running and the restaurant, accommodation, church and toilets at the pontoons are not open to the public.
The latest study of the extraordinary contribution tourism makes to parts of the region’s economy makes for thought-provoking reading. It certainly helps to ram home the unimaginable size of the hole that has been blown in so many people’s livelihoods by the pandemic.
For most who make their living from the trade, the chance this week to welcome visitors again will have been a huge relief.
Naturally there is a degree of caution among those in remote communities that have remained relatively unscathed by the virus.
Deciding not to throw open the doors to those from places where it has run a more rampant course is an understandable stance for that reason.
No one would begrudge the people of Eigg the right to have weighed up that tricky balance and come down the other way.
Nor should the downsides that mass tourism has brought be swept under the coronavirus recovery carpet.
As we reopen, every possible opportunity should be taken to do so in a more sustainable way that respects communities and their needs.
But reopen we must, for the consequences of not doing so – carefully and safely – are dire.
So let us send out a clear message: The north and north-east is as appealing as ever and very much open for business.
“The north and northeast is as appealing as ever and very much open for business”