North Coast 500: New toilets planned at Stac Pollaidh as car park extension work begins
A four-fold increase in parking capacity at an under-pressure beauty spot in the north-west Highlands is expected to ease congestion at the location.
Stac Pollaidh has become increasingly popular with walkers and sight-seers in recent years, leading to problems with habitat degradation and littering in and around the small car park.
The Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS) said work started this week on the expansion of the parking area, which will see capacity increase from 20 spaces to 78.
The two-phase project, designed to give the estimated 50,000 annual visitors to Stac Pollaidh an improved experience, is being managed by the trust, a leading environmental charity promoting sustainable public access throughout Scotland.
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The development of the car park and new toilet facilities at Stac Pollaidh comes in response to consistent overcapacity at this very small car park which has resulted in roadside and passing place parking, hindering traffic flow on the single-track access road.
The trust says that local habitat degradation and muddy verges, as well as litter and fouling issues, have been identified as well.
Phase one of the works will see the current 20-space car park, accessed from the single-track road to Achiltibuie off the A835 to Ullapool, expanded to 78 spaces.
CR Contracting North Ltd (CRC), who specialise in civil works, trail design and construction and environmental engineering, are carrying out the construction works for phase one.
The car park is expected to be fully operational again by the end of December, although parking spaces will be limited during construction.
Phase two of the project, which includes the building of off-grid toilet facilities and a processing plant, is currently undergoing the tender process. OATS expects construction to start early next year.
Stac Pollaidh is widely recognised as one of the most popular hills to climb in Scotland with spectacular views down Loch Lurgainn and over to the Coigach peaks, the Assynt hills, and Beinn Dearg, a very special place for many hillwalkers and the local community.
OATS said there had been a full consultation process with the local community, landowners, Highland Council and NatureScot about the development.
Following planning permission, lease and funding agreements and ecological assessment processes that were longer than expected, it was agreed to delay construction until September to avoid further disruption on the access road during the busiest months for outdoor tourism in the Highlands.
The Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland apologised for any potential disruption to the local community, businesses and emergency services caused on the access road to the car park as a result of construction.
