A top Scottish surfer has backed a campaign to save two threatened beach huts on an island beach – because it is training future generations of champions.
The island, with its pristine white beaches and perfect waves, is known as the “Hawaii of the North”.
But there is trouble afoot in the surfers’ paradise after a watersports company built two beach huts without planning permission.
Now Blackhouse Watersports, which erected the structures on Balevullin and Gott Beaches, could be forced to tear them down.
The firm, run by Iona and Martin Larg, has applied to Argyll and Bute Council for retrospective planning consent – but officials are recommending that this be refused.
They are calling for a public hearing to be held before the final decision is made, in light of the amount of interest the application has generated.
A total of 47 objectors say the huts are a blight on the otherwise unspoiled beaches, while supporters, including Mike Russell MSP, see them as a boost for the island’s economy.
A petition in support of the huts has been signed by 135 people.
The application will be considered by the planning committee tomorrow.
The huts are used as changing rooms, a place to shelter from the elements, house first aid kit and store surf boards.
Mark Boyd, Scotland’s second top surfer, and secretary of the Scottish Surfing Federation said: “Shelters such as this one are particularly important for the sport of surfing in Scotland due to our harsh weather and the removal of this hut would undoubtedly have a detrimental impact on the progression of the sport in the country.”
Finn MacDonald, 15, the Scottish Under 18s surfing champion and Ben Larg, 11, who holds the nation’s under 14s title, both practise year-round on Balevullin beach on Tiree, which is used by the local surfing club to give free lessons to island children.
Ben is the son of Mr and Mrs Larg.
The boys, who hope to represent Scotland/GB in the 2020 Olympics, are currently in the Azores competing at the International Junior Finals, the biggest in the world.
Finn said: “Please don’t destroy the hut, don’t take it away, it’s essential on the beach, we need it there for safety reasons.
“It means there is always someone watching us and there is a first aid kit in there. It’s also great for keeping our boards in. We are out surfing in December and it’s somewhere dry to get changed in.”
Karl Hughes, who lives on a croft by Balevullin Beach, said: “The hut does nothing to harm or detract, in fact Balevullin beach is now the cleanest on Tiree.”
Council planners say the “unspoiled” beaches should be protected from artificial change.