A new car park and public amenities has opened at Achmelvich Beach, following a £1.1 million upgrade.
The transformation of facilities includes:
Credit: Highland Council
The £1.1 million project was funded by £500,000 from the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF), £257,000 from the Community Regeneration Fund, £57,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and £300,000 loan funding from The Highland Council.
The associated loan charges will be fully funded from the income generated by parking charges at Achmelvich Beach car park and also from the toilet facilities.
Managed by VisitScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, the RTIF was created to improve the quality of the visitor experience in rural parts of Scotland that have faced pressure on their infrastructure due to this increase in visitor numbers.
To ensure the facilities can operate as net zero as possible, sustainable materials and construction methods were used by the appointed Highland contractor - G Simpson (Builders) Ltd. Landscaping has also been kept minimal, in order to not interfere with the existing landscape.
Achmelvich is a key destination for day visitors, its popularity had outgrown the current facilities and as part of the Council’s aim of delivering sustainable and responsible tourism in the Highlands, Achmelvich was identified as a priority in the Highland Council Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan.
I’d like to thank all the stakeholders and funding partners for their support throughout this transformational project, the wider community for their patience during construction and to G Simpson (Builders) Ltd for creating quality facilities that now meet the needs of visitors to Achmelvich beach, whilst being sympathetic to the beautiful surroundings.
The new car park and public amenities at Achmelvich Beach are a great example of how targeted investment can support rural communities experiencing high visitor numbers while enhancing the overall visitor experience.
These improvements not only benefit visitors with enhanced facilities, including for those with additional access requirements, but also the local community, improving management of visitors at the site and helping ensure that the area remains vibrant and more resilient.
By investing in infrastructure and promoting responsible tourism, we can help to protect Scotland’s stunning natural landscapes and improve the sustainability of our destinations for years to come.