Beloved Scottish mountain on North Coast 500 protected for future as visitor numbers surge
Moves have been made at the mountain to create an all-round better experience for walkers and locals alike.
One of Scotland’s most beloved mountains is to be protected for the future amid a surge in visitor numbers.
Stac Pollaidh, which sits in the breathtaking Assynt landscape and close to the North Coast 500 driving route, now attracts 55,000 visitors a year with erosion on the mountain paths now reported and intense strain placed on the existing 50-space car park.
As locals felt the pressures of the mountain’s rising popularity, with the single-track road often blocked by cars and litter and human waste left behind on the national and internationally designated nature site, solutions were sought.
Environmental charity, the Outdoor Trust for Scotland (OATS), was invited to tackle the issues given its similar work at beauty spots including the Fairy Pools in Skye, which has experienced a huge rise in popularity in recent years to the detriminent of locals.
Now, the charity has completed work on a 78-space car park and an off-grid toilet block at the foot of the mountain, with crumbling stretches of the paths to the summit soon to be reinforced.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has now formally opened the new visitor facilities at Staic Pollaidh.
She said: “With the growing popularity of Scotland’s rural beauty spots, we must ensure tourism is sustainable and doesn’t put unnecessary strain on local services and communities.
“These new amenities will serve Stac Pollaidh’s 55,000 visitors a year and ensure the people and businesses based in the area can enjoy the positive impacts of tourism.”
The work has been funded by Scottish Government’s Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund, (£490,144), the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (£143,000), the Community Regeneration Fund (£30,000) and a significant contribution from OATS (£173,800).
Ms Forbes added: “Getting that balance right between tourism and communities is what the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund aims to achieve, and I’m encouraged that it’s been able to make a significant contribution to this partnership working project.”
Issues at Staic Pollaidh were first raised in 2019 with OATS then using their tested and effective model of a long-term lease of land to procure a site at the bottom of the mountain from landowners Highland Council and Inverpolly Estate through a Community Asset Transfer and lease agreement with both.
The car park has recently served as a vital rendezvous point for the emergency services and support teams tackling the extensive wildfires that engulfed Stac Pollaidh for three days earlier this year.
Duncan Bryden, Chair of the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland Board of Trustees, said: “To tackle growing visitor pressures and keep people safe OATS are delighted to be opening our facility at Stac Pollaidh, an iconic mountain north of Ullapool.
“Powered by solar panels and batteries plus bore hole water, these are OATS first low carbon off grid facilities.
“We are grateful for grant support from the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund and other funders to make this happen."
“OATS specialise in combined recreational infrastructural provision – parking, toilets, paths, and storytelling - in remoter areas where visitors are going in ever greater numbers to enjoy nature and landscapes. Income from visitor parking goes back into facility and path maintenance.”
OATS are also planning both an all-abilities route to a viewpoint and the rebuilding and repairing of substantial sections of the mountain path.
The charity will continue sustainable conservation on the mountain through their volunteer path maintenance programme.
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