Plan lodged for bothies overlooking Wester Ross village pier
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A GAIRLOCH man wants to build two self-catering bothies overlooking the village pier.
Applicant Andrew Smith is seeking permission from Highland Council to develop the site on land just south-east of his home, The Shore Cottage on Pier Road.
The project, also involving siteworks and services on the 3100 sq m site, will be considered under planning officials delegated powers by December 27. The closing date for neighbour consultation is November 27.
The two single-storey bothies, built in a picturesque setting, would each feature a kitchen/lounge, bathroom and one double bedroom.
Separate gravel paths would lead up the hillside to the bothies from a cleared roadside parking area catering for two vehicles.
A design statement from the firm Highland Architecture said the bothies would be primarily visible from the sea, on the approach to Gairloch Pier. It read: “There is a busy maritime traffic, particularly during the spring through to the autumn, with pleasure boats leaving from the pier.
“There is also a steady, but small continuous use of the pier and its environment, by small local fishing boats – primarily creeling for shellfish, and infrequent visits of small cruise ships such as the “Hebridean Princess” and the “Waverley”.
“The area is one of great landscape value, and the site is well covered with mature trees – Scots Pine and indigenous evergreen and deciduous hardwoods – which will form a receptive setting for the two units.”
Mono pitch roofs – those with one flat, tilted surface – would face south to allow the use of energy conservation systems. The roof covering would be black corrugated aluminium with walls formed from larch boarding with local stone features.
