One north community is taking social distancing to another level – with signs urging visitors to stop and think before visiting.
Applecross in Wester Ross, like many other places, has turned into a ghost town with businesses closed and residents remaining in isolation.
But after an influx of visitors to the area over the course of the weekend, signs have now been erected on the outskirts of town to encourage people to keep out.
Each sign reads: “Attention visitors.
“Businesses are closed in Applecross. No food/drink available, public toilets locked, no facilities.
“Community isolation – please respect.”
Judith Fish, owner of the Applecross Inn, spoke on behalf of the community.
“From us actually deciding to put signs up and getting the signs up it has calmed down an awful lot,” Mrs Fish said.
The handmade signs were produced by Jack Marris, owner of Applecross Photographic Gallery.
She added: “A lot of consideration went into the wording of it. We haven’t put no motorhomes or no campervans. We have just said community in isolation, please respect. We haven’t done it to stop people, we know we can’t close the road but it’s just to make people think a little bit.”
With the country now in lockdown, Mrs Fish said the community is delighted to see the signs were serving their purpose.
Mrs Fish said: “It has reduced anyway but I think that’s due to both the news and our signs. As the boys put them up, two cars did stop, read them and turn round so we know that they are having some effect which is nice.
“It’s a great community. We are very fortunate and we are all working together as a community.”