Campsite closure throws up multiple problems
Cruise ship passengers are among those who will be disappointed this summer if they try to access the beach where the Uig Chessmen were found.
This is one consequence of a decision forced on Ardroil Grazings Committee that, after more than 20 years, it can no longer operate a camp site which attracts island residents and visitors from all over Europe.
Until now, one of the tour options offered to cruise ship visitors has taken them to Ardroil in buses which stop so that tourists can have pictures taken with a giant chessman, commissioned by the community in 2006, along with an information board.
Many visitors also want to access the beach itself – and use the toilets in the utilities block.
However, unless there is a late intervention to keep the camp site open, the road’s use will be restricted on safety grounds and the utilities block will remain closed.
The chairman of Ardroil Grazings Committee, Simon Scott, said: “It’s a great pity. The beach where the chessmen were found is one of the iconic things on their tour and they won’t be able to access it now.
“It’s all very well talking about 89 cruise ships coming into Stornoway this summer but no thought seems to have been given to the infrastructure that is needed to support them”.
The absence of toilet provision is one issue giving rise to local concern with no alternative available to the public within miles of the site which will probably still be used by individual campers, even though there are no facilities.
A meeting is due to take place with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar on Friday to explore any possible solutions, at least in the short term and local councillors have pledged their support for averting closure.
Last week, the Comhairle told the Gazette that they do “not have a budget for maintaining unadopted roads”.
They added: “Likewise the utilities block is in private ownership and not a facility that is owned or maintained by the Comhairle”.
They suggested “opportunities coming up to apply for external sources of funding to support the investment needed”.
Ward councillors Ranald Fraser and Norman Macdonald attended a meeting of Uig Community Council on Monday when a wide range of concerns about the implications of the camp site closing were raised, including the pressure this would place on other facilities in the area.
The public health implications of losing the toilets were discussed and the councillors indicated that they would do their best to secure some funding from council resources.
Torcuil Crichton MP has suggested that the UK Government’s “Pride of Place” funding to the Western Isles might be a source of funding while recognising that a short term solution is needed for this summer.
He has contacted the Comhairle, Scottish Land Fund, HIE and Crown Estate Scotland asking for a “flexible” approach.
Mr Crichton wrote: “The unfortunate fact is that the Comhairle does not have money to maintain existing adopted roads, far less take on additional ones. I have asked however if some stop-gap money can be found.
“Given that the camp site and utilities block are community assets located on crofting land, I think a very reasonable case can be made for the Scottish Land Fund to respond positively even if it is, initially, only to assist in finding a temporary solution."
Mr Crichton continued: “Very substantial sums have been taken out of Uig by the Crown Estate over decades from fish farming and it is appropriate to ask for their assistance when an urgent issue like this arises, outside the funding channelled through Comhairle nan Eilean Siar on a ward basis.”