Applecross community plea for visitors to stay clear of the area
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THE community at a popular Wester Ross beauty spot are urging visitors to avoid coming to the area in an effort to limit the risks of coronavirus.
Applecross Community Company, the local community council and local businesses such as the Applecross Inn have put in place road signs to inform potential visitors of the closure of most businesses in the area and to ask their support in tackling the issue locally.
Applecross Inn owner, Judith Fish, said: "We decided to put up these signs to ask the support of people coming from outside while we are in self-isolation, with many businesses having to close.
"Before the new government measures were made public we had several tourists in motor homes around, with people coming from as far as Elgin to enjoy the sunny weather, however from now there will be no more renting of motorhomes and at the Inn we decided to cancel any booking for the next two months.
"Around 60 per cent of our population is over 60 years old, and 40 per cent of it is over 80, so we have many people at risk and we don't want to put them in danger, as we don't want to endanger our doctors and put the medical facilities under pressure.
"We are just asking visitors to respect us and our peninsula during this period of self-isolation."
Roslyn Clark from the Applecross Community Company said: "Applecross is a very popular destination but at this time we are following the government's advice to protect our community.
"It's a really tough time, winter has just finished and now that we have prepared for the season and ready to start again it will be really hard, but it's so important now to come together and do our best to protect our community and the most vulnerable ones. When this is over we will come back, Applecross is always going to attract tourists and we will support our local businesses so that they can flourish again."
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