Additional bins will help keep popular visitor spots tidy

Visitors will find it easier to dispose of their litter at several popular spots across Highland after the rollout of additional bins. The rollout has been planned to support the tourism season as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to improve and support sustainable tourism in the area.

Councillor Derek Louden, Chair of Highland Council’s Corporate Resources Committee, said: “The Corporate Resources Committee considers the Highland Council’s Delivery Plan on an ongoing basis, which includes an ambitious portfolio of projects targeting increased investment in tourism infrastructure. 

“At the most recent committee meeting on 5 June, Members were pleased to hear about the plans that are in place to support responsible tourism and to address the concerns raised by our communities regarding littering.  Building upon the launch of the Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme in 2024, it is encouraging to see that additional large bins are being rolled out for 2025.”

Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said: “These plans for 2025 include providing waste enclosures at key sites including Inverness Torvean, Dunnet Seadrift, Wick Riverside, Golspie Beach (Shore Street), Ullapool Latheron Lane, Gairloch Harbour, and Kylesku Bridge (East).  These enclosures have been aesthetically designed to improve the look of the waste facilities at some of our key tourist sites.

“A common theme we found in the feedback received from residents and tourists is that improved infrastructure should encourage more responsible behaviours. Increasing our bin capacity at these popular visitor sites will help to protect our fragile environment by minimising overfilling during peak periods.”

The bin design incorporates a reduced opening which will protect waste on windy days and prevent instances of fly tipping.  Sites were selected based upon intelligence gathered during previous tourism seasons by multi-disciplinary teams across the Council. 

The sites receiving additional bins will be:

• Dunnet Head Car Park
• Dunnet Seadrift Car Park
• Wick Riverside Car Park
• Glengarry Viewpoint Car Park
• Nairn Harbour
• Gairloch Harbour
• Little Gruinard Bay Car Park
• Rogie Falls
• Durness Village Car Park
• Golspie Shore Street Car Park
• Kylesku Bridge (East) Car Park

For further information and details about joining the Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme, please visit: www.highland.gov.uk/motorhome and for details regarding locations of our Public Conveniences and Waste and Recycling Centres please visit: www.highland.gov.uk/tourism.