Eilean Donan Castle go-ahead for changes to meet Covid challenges — but tents are a stretch
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THE operator of iconic Eilean Donan Castle in Lochalsh has been given permission to carry out alterations to help it meet the new visitor challenges brought by Covid-19.
But a proposal to have a new "stretch tent" in the grounds to allow for sheltered outdoor eating was withdrawn after Highland Council planning officials said it could not be supported on such and sensitive site within the Kintail National Scenic Area.
The Conchra Charitable Trust that runs one of the most visited beauty spots in the Highlands, withdrew the tent part of the application, but site manager David Wynn said they are still able to cater for their many visitors, and if necessary, they hope to instal a form of tent on a less obtrusive site at the castle in the future.
He said: "We are re-opening our coffee shop and we have our outdoor takeaway."
Mr Wynn added: "Bookings are looking very healthy this year, and we are re-opening on March 2."
The council decision report says: "This is an extremely sensitive site in terms of landscape and heritage, and for tourism represents one of the most iconic views of Scotland.
"As such any proposal must carefully consider its affect upon the setting of the castle and bridge, (leading to the island castle) as well as any wider landscape impacts.
"The tent was considered to be obtrusive and incongruous within this extremely sensitive setting, large in scale and overly contrasting in style to the semi-traditional forms of the visitor centre building."
The permission given relates to the visitor centre and allows the conversion of part of the cafe area to retail, the infill of a recess on the northern elevation to form a store, and the creation of a porch on the western gable to form a new entrance to the café - all considered "low impact" alterations by planners.
In November 2020 the attraction closed temporarily because of the financial impact of Covid and the trust took the view that the virus caused more people to be reluctant to eat inside, prompting the offer of more space outside and the use of a stretch tent.
It would have provided covered eating space with the added attraction of being able to view the castle from the external tables.
A design statement by Lachlan Stewart of ANTA Architecture stressed the tent could be "easily reversible should the demand change as visitors change habits as Covid-19 restrictions change".
The existing 180-car parking arrangement remains the same.
The visitor centre was built in the early 1990's to cater for the increasing number of visitors, and was more recently expanded with a new wing for a larger ticket-office and staff facilities.
The importance of the castle – used as a backdrop for everything from the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough to the 1986 blockbuster, Highlander – was highlighted in the application with it "recognised as one of the most iconic images of Scotland all over the world".
It stated: "Situated on an island at the point where three great sea lochs meet, and surrounded by some majestic scenery, it is little wonder that the castle is now one of the most visited and important attractions in the Scottish Highlands."
