Highland tourist hotspots to get extra bins to tackle litter

Overflowing bins and littering at Highland beauty spots has sparked the roll out of additional waste facilities at numerous tourist hotspots.

Highland Council says the additional bins will make it easier for visitors to dispose of their litter more responsibly at beauty spots dotted all across the region.

The move was timed to coincide with the tourist season, with schools set to shut for the summer later this week. It is also part of what the local authority dubs its “ongoing commitment to improve and support sustainable tourism in the area”.

Councillor Derek Louden, chairman of the council’s corporate resources committee, said: “The committee considers the 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, chairman of the economy and infrastructure committee, said: “These plans for 2025 include providing waste enclosures at key sites. 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 on previous tourism seasons.

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, visit: www.highland.gov.uk/motorhome and for details regarding locations of the council’s public toilets, and waste and recycling centres visit www.highland.gov.uk/tourism.

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