Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone pleads with UK and Scottish political leaders to stop Grannie’s Heilan' Hame caravan site in Embo near Dornoch from opening before end of Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown
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MP Jamie Stone has written to both First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a bid to stop the operator of a Sutherland caravan park from opening up later this month.
Mr Stone made the move following a complaint from a constituent who discovered that Parkdean Resorts, which runs Grannie’s Heilan' Hame at Embo near Dornoch, was taking bookings from May 16.
Catherine Boa of Rogart told Mr Stone: “I am concerned about holiday companies that are promoting holidays from as early as June.
"I have a holiday cottage in the village, which I have blanked off till October. The company I advertise with sent me an email to say they would be taking bookings starting in June, but keeping it under review.
“I think holidaymakers should not be encouraged to come up here, as if they do the virus could spread.
"I understand Parkdean caravan park in Embo is planning on taking visitors from the middle of May.
"I feel the government should put restrictions on people wanting to come to the area.
"I can’t imagine what effect it will have on our community. The virus hasn’t been so bad here and I think people know it and think it’s a good idea to come up here."
Mr Stone included in his email to the Prime Minister and First Minister a video of himself booking a stay at the caravan park.
He wrote: “I have written to you both before about the importance of the tourism industry in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross. I know how important it is for this industry to be revived after the pandemic, but so long as you and the medical advisors insist that we stay at home and save lives, I cannot understand for the life of me why people continue to holiday in the Highlands.
"My team has investigated the claim about Parkdean caravan park taking visitors and can confirm this is absolutely true. They were able to book in for May 16.
“I wanted to bring this to your attention as Parkdean operates across the UK and I believe they are acting against your instruction. There has been no suggestion from you that holidaymakers should start packing their bags for as early as next week.
“I hate to beg but I will do what I must to protect my constituents, so please, please, please: stop Parkdean from allowing bookings and make it crystal clear to tourism companies that holiday bookings should not be facilitated until it is absolutely safe for people to travel."
Mr Stone told the Inverness Courier: “How many times have I got to keep going about this? No one should be coming to the Highlands. People should stay at home and save lives. Like so many of us in the Far North, I am absolutely desperate for our economy to start up again and for the hospitality industry to be thriving, but safety must come first.
"There has been no indication whatsoever from either the UK or Scottish Government that holidaymakers should start packing their bags in anticipation of a jolly up to the Highlands any time soon. The fact that Parkdean will let their customers book a stay as early as May 15 is truly abhorrent.
"I am so grateful to people like Catherine who are doing the right thing and not renting out their accommodation during the pandemic. I just wish the bigger companies had the same moral convictions!"
It is understood East Sutherland and Edderton councillor Richard Gale, chairman of Sutherland County Committee, has asked Parkdean to reconsider.
Fellow councillor and Embo resident Jim McGillivray said the opening was “against the wishes of the local population” and that Trading Standards and police had become involved.
A spokesman from Parkdean said: “May 16 has been set based on latest guidance, however if there is any extension to the lockdown then we will of course amend our plans.”
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