Some of Scotland’s most iconic, rural tourist sites will receive funding for new facilities to further enhance the visitor experience Including a much needed investment in the toilet facilities at the Otters Pool on the Raiders road in the Galloway Forest Park.
Around £3 million from the first round of the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) will be shared among 18 projects across Scotland to help meet the demand of growing visitor numbers – including:
- £300,000 for new toilet and motorhome facilities at the Old Man of Storr, Skye
- £269,906 for additional parking for 100 cars and 10 motorhomes at the Glenfinnan Viaduct
- £260,000 for improvements to toilets along west Loch Lomond at Luss, Tarbet and Inveruglas
- £226,000 for new paths linking car parks, visitor attractions and accommodation at the Cairngorms National Park
- £58,000 for toilets and other visitor facilities at the Otter Pools in Dumfries and Galloway
- £131,660 for a parking hub at the village of Hoswick in Shetland
Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced the funding on a visit to Glenfinnan Viaduct, which has seen an influx of visitors since featuring in the Harry Potter films.
She said:
“The growing popularity of our stunning natural scenery and rich historical sites is great for bringing jobs and investment to our communities but can also put pressure on communities, services, transport and facilities – particularly in rural areas.
“This funding will help our industry keep up with the tourism boom by supporting the creation of much needed infrastructure such as new pathways, car parks and facilities at some of our most iconic rural and natural attractions. This investment is crucial so that visitors from home and abroad can continue to enjoy our fantastic landscape, culture and hospitality for years to come.”
Malcolm Roughead chief executive of VisitScotland said:
“Due to the continued success of tourism, it is crucial that we address those pinch points already identified and futureproof those areas where demand is growing. The Scottish Government Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) will help these communities improve their facilities and enhance their offering to welcome more visitors in the future.
“VisitScotland, along with other agencies and industry partners, needs to encourage the tourism industry to provide world class service, facilities, events and attractions to keep up with ever-changing consumer demands and ensure visitors continue to have memorable experiences. This fund is a critical step towards ensuring that the tourism infrastructure meets current and future demand.”
Background
The fund which was administered by VisitScotland was open to local authorities to apply on behalf of their communities, and was aimed at funding infrastructure improvements such as parking, camping, visitor facilities and recycling points. A total £6 million investment will be split between 2018-19 and 2019-20.
The full list of recipients of the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund is available from VisitScotland with all funding subject to conditions.
The projects include:
Argyll and Bute – Fionphort and Craignure Car park improvements, Bruichladdich-Port Charlotte pathway, Tiree Turf and Surf
Cairngorms National Park – Muir of Dinnet, Active Glenmore
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – Tourism Outer Hebrides 2020
Dumfries and Galloway – Raiders Road-Otter Pool, Criffel – Sea to Summit
Highlands – Storr parking and visitor facilities, the Lochinver project, Glenfinnan, Lochcarron North Coast 500, Mallaig-Traigh motorhome facility, Blabheinn toilets and parking
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs – Falls of Lenny, West Loch Lomond
Scottish Borders – Eildon Hills pathways
Shetland – parking hub at Hoswick
Three pilots projects in Skye and Orkney received a share of £480,000 earlier this year.
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