Work is to get under way at the best-known dolphin-watching spot in the Highlands in an attempt to ease summer tourist congestion and parking problems.
Chanonry Point, located between the villages of Fortrose and Rosemarkie, is a popular location for dolphin watching with visitor numbers estimated at over 120,000 every year.
And now, Highland Council has awarded a contract to Cleantech Civils Ltd for the delivery of environmental improvement works at Chanonry Point, near Fortrose. Works on site will commence early in the New Year and are scheduled for completion before the Easter.
Local Councillor Isobel McCallum said: “Coastal tourism and wildlife watching represent a very substantial sector within the Highland tourism industry and Chanonry is one of the jewels. It is a victim of its own success and congestion has become a problem. There are land ownership constraints which preclude the provision of additional parking, but overall the proposals should improve the way in which the site functions and the improvements will contribute to our aspirations for the continued development of Highland as a high quality tourist destination.”
To allow the works to proceed, the car park and the access road will be closed to all vehicular traffic between the 4th January and 24th March. Vehicular access for residents will be maintained throughout. Access to the Point for pedestrians and those arriving by bicycle will remain available throughout the works.
Charlie Phillips, Field Officer for the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society is a regular at Chanonry. He said: “It is extremely heartening, in these financially difficult times, to see Highland Council committing the funding and effort into upgrading the car park area at Chanonry Point. We should all support and applaud this work and be tolerant of vehicle access restrictions to the area while the works take place.”
The £273,000 Chanonry project will provide a generally enhanced visitor experience through refurbishment of the existing car park area, provision of disabled parking spaces, cycle stands and new seating.