Pit-stop toilet upgrade project progressing

A scheme to upgrade public toilets on Arran is still on the cards.

The Banner announced in September last year that North Ayrshire Council (NAC) had been given a grant worth more than half a million pounds for the innovative project to turn the toilets into visitor pit-stops.

It was a remarkable U-turn for the council which in 2017 closed all the toilets on Arran, leading to a huge public outcry with most being taken over by community groups.

But last year the council announced a £540,000 Scottish government grant was to be used to create visitor pit-stops supported by a further £60,000 from the council - which would see the old toilets redeveloped into eco-designed buildings with landscaped outdoor spaces offering visitors sustainable, efficient amenities.

It is anticipated information boards with details about traffic, ferries, local trails, heritage, points of interest and things to see and do in the area will be provided at each location.

Seven of the nine planned pit stops were expected to be on Arran, with the other two on Cumbrae. It is thought the toilets in Brodick, Lamlash, Whiting Bay and Lochranza will all benefit, with the likelihood Kildonan, Kilmory and Sannox will also be included in the scheme. The toilet buildings are still owned by NAC even though they are now leased to community groups.

Brodick applied for a community asset transfer of the facilities but it was never finalised. A NAC spokesperson said: “Officers are arranging meetings with community contacts to inform the development of the project and agree the next steps. A further update will be provided in the coming weeks.”