Vandalised Thurso toilets an 'embarrassment' to town
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The ongoing closure of the public toilet at Thurso's Riverside is giving visitors a poor impression of the town, according to community representatives.
The Tanyard convenience, just off the town centre, has again been put out of action by the latest in a series of acts of vandalism.
Thelma MacKenzie, chairwoman of Thurso Community Council, was disappointed to learn there is no information about when it is likely to reopen.
"The tourism season is upon us and we're having to tell people that they have to go to the toilets at the harbour," she said.
"I think this is awful in this day and age. We're not asking for a huge amount of money."
Mrs MacKenzie said the closure has had adverse spin-off impacts.
She told the group's meeting earlier this week: "I passed a bus stance tonight and the smell was absolutely awful. Someone had urinated in it."
Colleague Louise Smith said the ongoing closure of the toilet was "a huge embarrassment".
"We want to get people to come here and come back again but they can't find a toilet that is open," she said.
"What does that look like? It's an embarrassment. I feel mortified by the whole thing. It doesn't reflect well on the town"
Local Highland councillor Ron Gunn said he has been battling to get the toilet reopened.
He pointed out that people can use the toilets in the North Coast Visitor Centre or Tesco store.
"It's far from ideal but at least they have that in the meantime," he said.
Mrs MacKenzie questioned whether the toilets would still be shut if they were in Inverness.
Mr Gunn responded that vandalism has led to council facilities throughout the Highlands facing lengthy spells out of action.
Community councillor Bert Macleod said toilet provision should become a statutory requirement of local authorities.
He also believed restrictions on CCTV use in public loos should be eased so that people entering and leaving the building are monitored.
Councillor Gunn raised the issue at Wednesday's meeting of Highland Council's communities and place committee.
He said afterwards: "I asked how many of the 76 public toilets the council look after were closed. I was told five are closed, most for more than a year. All are closed due to vandalism."
Councillor Gunn stressed the importance of having the toilets reopen as quickly as possible for both residents and tourists, including passengers disembarking from cruise liners berthed at Scrabster.
He added: "The intention is to open Thurso soon and they are to get back to me with a date."
