Call goes out for volunteers to help at Thurso harbour toilets
With the tourist season approaching, help is being sought from the public to reopen a key facility in Thurso for both visitors and locals – the toilets at the harbour.
Budget pressures forced Highland Council to close the toilets about seven years ago but Thurso Community Development Trust (TCDT) stepped in to save them in 2020.
Since then, a dedicated team of volunteers have been making the toilets available each tourist season between April and October. Each day, members of the team open and close the facility and keep it clean.
This year, some of the trust’s volunteer team are unable to help due to other commitments and health issues.
TCDT is appealing for new volunteers to join and keep “this free, vital facility” available to all.
If the trust can’t get enough volunteers, it will have to consider opening the toilets only at weekends or charging people to use them and paying someone to open and close the premises.
“We don’t want to do either of these options as we’re well aware of how much the harbour toilets are valued by locals and tourists alike,” chairperson Helen Allan said.
“It usually takes between 10 and 15 minutes each day to open and close the toilets and 30 to 45 minutes to clean them. The premises are open from 9am to 5pm so it’s always daylight when this work has to be done.
“All cleaning materials are supplied and full instructions are given.”
Anyone willing to help is asked to contact 01847 867310 or email info@thursocdt.co.uk
Mrs Allan added: “In addition to keeping this vital service open for all, it’s a great opportunity to meet people from all over the world who have made the effort to visit Thurso.”
