Investment needed for “jewel in the tourism crown”
A prominent Harris businessman has lamented the lack of investment in tourism facilities in the local area, with the result that its famous reputation as a visitor destination is in danger of being lost.
Jamie McGowan, who runs a deli/café and The Candle Company in Tarbert, is concerned over the long-term impact of a combination of insufficient services for tourists – once they do arrive – and the current unreliability of ferry connections.
While the wet weather has probably had an effect on the numbers coming this year, Mr McGowan says that there are more worrying signs at play.
“People used to come to Harris for a week or for a couple of weeks,” he said. “But it’s now becoming a transient place – a 3/4 day stop on the way somewhere else.
“I don't think Harris is the destination it was. It was the case that Harris was the jewel in the crown but now it's so transient, where people are going from either the Butt to Barra or Barra to the Butt, just passing through while travelling the whole Hebrides.
“I know everybody moans about bus tours, but it's what’s saving our bacon on some days when they’re stopping and all buying coffee and cake. It really helps us get through the week.”
In the period after Covid a number of eateries opened in the Harris area, from the border with Lewis down to Leverburgh. But, one by one, says Jamie, they’ve disappeared.
“All these businesses were busy and profitable but became victims of their own success,” he said.
“Everybody gets so busy that they burn out, and then it just becomes untenable.”
For him, it’s clear that there needs to be more investment in creating a range of facilities, to encourage people to stay in Harris longer.
“We need to start with the general day-to-day stuff like parking, better toilet facilities, information about the island,” he said.
“There needs to be an App with all the businesses on it to give visitors an idea of what was on offer in Harris.
“I don't like being depressed about Harris and I’m not talking it down because it's an amazing place to live and bring up a family, but the business side of it has definitely been affected.
"We need more people opening businesses and we need more investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and people like that.”
Despite the worrying nature of the current situation Jamie believes that Harris is still a world class destination with ample potential to reclaim its status as the jewel in the crown.
“I think in my opinion we’re two years away before the confidence comes back,” he said. “The ferries will hopefully get back on track.
"When the new ferries are here the confidence should go up. You'll have more runs and hopefully more people will come.”