It is arguably the least used road in the country – partly because it goes through a bombing range.
But the track’s only permanent residents say they face being “marooned” – not by bombs, but potholes.
The only residents of Cape Wrath, Sutherland, also claim the seasonal tourist minibus may be at risk if Highland Council can not find the cash to repair the road.
The road can only be reached by passenger ferry across the Kyle of Durness – or by hiking 11 miles from near Kinlochbervie over rough, unmarked terrain.
Any vehicles have to be conveyed by barge – and there is usually only just a couple of civilian vehicles that use the track.
One belongs to John Ure, who with his daughter Angela, are the only residents who live at Cape Wrath.
Their home is at the top of the pothole-ridden road that leads to the area’s famous Stevenson-designed lighthouse.
The other regular vehicle is the 16-seater tourist mini-bus operated by James Mather.
The Ministry of Defence – who own virtually all the land on the cape – usually close the military range to the public for around a third of the year when exercises are taking place.
But Mr Mather said the state of the road was now so bad that “we have 11 miles of potholes held together by the occasional bits of tar.”
Mr Mather said: “The road is very bad and we are doing what we can to patch up. The council gave us 18-20 tons of tar planings but it was like a flea on a dog’s back.
“It was almost impassable this season. That road is vital to three businesses directly and is also vital to the economy of Durness.
“It is a major attraction. It is a very poor show by the council.”
Mr Ure, who runs a bunk house and cafe at the lighthouse, added: “Unless something is done we will be marooned by potholes.
“The minibus can only negotiate the road by doing 5mph. I really think the road will be unusable after this winter unless something is done.”
Local councillor Hugh Morrison described it as a “forgotten road” and said he would be raising the issue with the local authority.
A council spokesman said: “Agreement was reached a few years back at a meeting in the council’s Durness depot with the local bus operator and the MoD that if the council supplied materials, the bus operator would transport the materials across and the MoD would carry out the repairs. Materials have been supplied by the council as requested.”
