Forbes marks Fairy Pools land transfer
Kate Forbes MSP officially marked a land transfer at the iconic Fairy Pools that will help improve infrastructure at the world-famous tourist hotspot.
The constituency MSP for Skye joined representatives from the local community and the Minginish Community Hall Association at a celebration event on Friday August 10, as MCHA has acquired 12.3ha from Forest Enterprise Scotland – which will be used to build an expanded 130-space car park and new toilet facilities.
With visitor numbers to the Fairy Pools in excess of 100,000 per year, Ms Forbes has been supporting MCHA in its efforts in partnership with the Outdoor Access Trust.
Building works – which will be carried out in two phases – has already begun on the site, with the entire site due to be completed early next year.
Ms Forbes said: ‘There are diggers at the Fairy Pools building a new car park, and I was delighted to officially cut the cake to celebrate.
‘For two years, the good people of Glenbrittle have struggled to get through the build-up of traffic at the Fairy Pools.
‘Finally, with a lot of hard work, persistence and political will, Minginish Community Hall Association has the money, the land and plans to build a car park.’
Last year the Skye MSP organised and led two wellattended tourism summits with local businesses, community groups and tourism organisations, which looked at tourism-related problems and potential solutions. She also orchestrated a visit from Tourism Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop.
‘This is an inspirational example of communities turning assets into moneymaking enterprises for local benefit,’ Ms Forbes continued.
‘The car park will create an income stream for the hall association.
‘It’s great to see charging already in place at the smaller car park and so the community are already receiving a small income.’
The MSP for Skye and Lochaber added: ‘Tourism should be a benefit to local communities – not just individual businesses.
‘The project at the Fairy Pools seemed almost impossible for months, with challenging geography, a high budget and so many stakeholders. However, it shows what is possible.
‘Communities should always be in control of what’s happening on their front doorstep and should see the economic benefit of the growth in tourism, as they will now do at the Fairy Pools.
‘It’s an example to other communities of what can be achieved when they feel at the mercy of powers outside their control.’