Cash boost for islands’ booming tourist trade

Half a million pounds has been awarded to three projects on Mull, Islay and Tiree to improve infrastructure for their booming tourism trade.

A total of £106,005 has been granted to upgrade the Columba Centre car park at Fionnphort to provide space for campervans and disabled parking, and 40 new spaces at Craignure car park.

The Bruichladdich to Port Charlotte Pathway project has been awarded £300,000 to create a safe pathway for walkers and cyclists linking Bruichladdich Distillery with accommodation and tourism businesses in Port Charlotte.

Finally, Tiree Turf and Surf was awarded £131,366 for an additional 95 car parking spaces, better access links between parking areas and beaches, and signs to protect the machair landscape.

Argyll and Bute Council leader Aileen Morton said: ‘We have experienced a growth in tourism that far outstrips the national average. We welcome this growth – it stimulates our economy, creates jobs and attracts new people to the area to live and work as well as visit. But we also welcome assistance to improve infrastructure that will make the large, seasonal increase in population a better experience for visitors.’