British holiday destination in uproar as road upgrade could ‘change the island’

Calls to improve transport infrastructure on a remote Outer Hebrides island has stirred division among the locals with residents who are concerned ‘over-tourism’ could “change” their sleepy coastal village.

Located in a secluded bay in the district of Carloway on the Isle of Lewis, Gearrannan Blackhouse Village has an estimated permanent population of just 80 people.

Isolated from mainland UK in the Western Isles of Scotland, the village is served by a single track road which has struggled to manage an increasing traffic load caused by tourists flocking to the island.

Residents have described the routine summer influx of tourists as “horrendous” and called for action to be taken on the road overwhelmed by campervans, cars, and tour buses.

However, locals are also concerned that expanding and modernising the current route into the village would only encourage more visitors, and change the unique character of the village.

Conservative councillor for Sgir’Uige agus Carlabhagh Ranald Fraser told The Scotsman tourism was a good thing for the village, but warned “this also means that the infrastructure leading up to it needs vital upgrades to cope with the demand”.

Other local representatives have argued ‘olde worlde’ features of the village, including the road into the bay, help to attract tourists.

Chairman of the Airidhantuim Community Council, Roddy Martin, said: “I have visitors from Canada just now, and our roads are like a sidewalk to them. They have massive highways. Do we want that? I don’t think so.”

He added: “‘Over-tourism’ is impacting the island and taking its toll on the roads. It’s the same in other parts of the country.”

One resident of the village, who did not want to be named, told the paper: “A lot of these things are what keeps the island unique. It’s part of its character. If you change it too much, people won’t see the appeal to come.”

The response to a parliamentary question last month has confirmed Holyrood expects any upgrade to the existing road to be funded by local authorities.

Scottish Conservative MSP for Highlands and Islands Tim Eagle submitted a written question to request information on the Scottish Government’s communications with the Western Isles Council regarding calls to upgrade the road into Gearrannan Blackhouse Village.

Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop responded to confirm Transport Scotland had not engaged with the local council and argued the national authority had no responsibility for the route “as it is not a trunk road”.

The SNP MSP said: “Ultimately, it is for locally elected representatives to make local decisions on how best to deliver services to their local communities.”

The divisive decision will therefore fall on the shoulders of the local authority to decide whether an upgrade to the existing single track route is in the best interest of residents and the local economy.