Toilets, campervans and new signs to attract tourists to Argyll and Bute

Public toilets that were opened as an emergency response during the pandemic are to remain in place in Argyll and Bute.

In a bid to welcome responsible tourism to the region, the local authority said it was looking at how to improve its offer to those having a staycation.

Along with the toilets it will be reminding tourists that they have to keep up their end of the bargain as well, including parking and driving safely.

Be responsible

Car park upgrades, new signs and overnight parking for motorcaravans are just some of the measures the council is planning to deliver, to help protect Argyll and Bute’s scenery and promote responsible tourism.

It will be asking tourists to be responsible about where they park – and will be reminding them to pull over to allow motorists to pass on the county’s many single track roads.

This week, at the community council in Oban – office bearers called on the local authority to look at the way in which Ganavan beach was managed.

At a meeting today, councillors agreed the latest steps in response to increasing numbers of visitors choosing to staycation in the region.

The plans, the local authority hopes will help support the local economy and encourage responsible tourism.

Councillor Alastair Redman, spokesman for economic growth and communities, said: “Tourism is a major contributor to the local economy, and the increase in visitors choosing to staycation in Argyll and Bute is extremely welcome.

“Thousands of visitors come to enjoy everything the area has to offer and the vast majority of people are responsible.

“However, we are fully aware of concerns and have listened to our local communities regarding the impact of litter and anti-social behaviour.

“We want everyone to have a great time and be a great visitor, which is why we have introduced new measures and extended those already in place to encourage responsible tourism.”

What are the council planning to do?

The council are introducing a number of measures:

• Motorcaravan Overnight Parking – an additional £30,000 has been allocated from the Council’s staycation budget to complete the project to create overnight parking for motorcaravans at sites throughout Argyll and Bute.
• Glenmorag car park in Dunoon – funding of £100,000 has been agreed for the potential upgrading of the car park with options including upgraded toilets, electric hook up points, potable water and waste water disposal points
• New signs– installation of new “Welcome to Argyll and Bute” signs and information on passing pace etiquette
• Temporary toilets introduced at popular visitor hotspots across the region will continue throughout 2023. The temporary toilets are at various locations including Westport, Bridge of Orchy, Glen Orchy, Kilchurn Castle and Victoria Bridge.

The new measures are in addition to a wide range of initiatives already introduced to address concerns about the impact of staycation visitors on key tourism areas.

It has also created a website which includes an interactive map of locations of car parks and caravan touring sites and information on waste disposal facilities.