Ross-shire beauty spot car park to be enlarged?
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Car access to a Ross-shire beauty spot could become easier under plans to expand an existing car park – but at the cost of seven broad leaf trees.
Forestry and Land Scotland has lodged a planning application with Highland Council to enlarge the existing car park at the western end of Loch Achilty, which is a popular viewpoint and picnic area that attracts anglers, walkers, wild swimmers and nature lovers.
Under the proposals the existing car parking areas – which have space for 12 vehicles in one plus three in the upper overflow – will be enlarged. If the work goes ahead, the main parking area will have space for 20 vehicles, while the upper overflow will be able to accommodate five.
However, while the expansion will "moderately increase capacity" for visitors to the loch, the application will also require the removal of seven "medium-sized broad leaf trees".
Fifteen metres of existing path would also be realigned.
In its application form, Forestry and Land Scotland said: "This site is popular with wild swimmers, canoes and paddle boards. We have seen an increase in overall visitor numbers along with more vehicles with roof racks or trailers for canoes, which the current car park is not designed for. It is also used for parking by people walking in the wider forest both tourist and locals."
