The numbers of visitors to a north tourist site has risen almost tenfold in the past decade, putting pressure on the visitor centre, road network and local resources.
The Glenfinnan Monument, on the shores of Loch Eil in Lochaber, has grown from 40,000 visitors a year, a decade ago, to 200,000 in 2015, to 350,000-plus in 2018.
The rise in numbers, the monument manager says, has a direct link to Harry Potter, and other tourism based on TV programmes such as Outlander.
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However, for some local residents the sheer volume of people are making every day life difficult,
Explaining the huge rise in numbers and what the National Trust are doing to mitigate them, Emily Bryce, Glenfinnan Monument manager told the P&J: “People want to come and see the real Highlands, and we have so many people who come here to see the truly iconic site at Glenfinnan.
“Some of the rise in visitors can be accounted for in those people who are coming to see three of the most identifiable Harry Potter sites – the small island on Loch Eil that Harry and Ron Weasly few over in the car, or Loch Eil that features predominately in a number of the films – or the Glenfinnan Viaduct where Harry’s train makes its way to Hogwarts.
“There is also those people who come to the area because of the historical themes opened up by televisions such as Outlander.
“We are having our car park extended and, boring as it sounds we are needing to update our sewage works to make the centre fit for the purposes of the ever growing number of visitors to the area. It was built for 35,000 people – no where near how many visitors are actually coming to see us.
“For the second year running we have stayed open in the winter, and comparing our numbers from this year and last year we are 50 per cent busier this winter than last.
“The tranquillity is fantastic in the winter, compared with the height of summer, when we share Glenfinnan with many more visitors.”
Resident Duncan Hutchison said: “The problem is there are too many people who are coming to the area and we just cannot keep up with the demand. Some days I cannot get in and out of my house because there are cars parked over the road end.
“It is not just annoying – it is dangerous, when emergency services cannot get through.
“As soon as these improvements have been made – we will need more.”
Mr Hutchison, who works in the hospitality industry in Fort William, continued: “We know we cannot stop people coming, but the infrastructure simply doesn’t exist. It is not just here at Glenfinnan, Another man who did not want to be named said: “The community council have done a great job – but as soon as that car park is open, it will be full. “
After many years of continuous complaints about cars parking on roadside verges, speeding and general traffic chaos in the area, Glenfinnan Community Council decided to take matters into its own hands.
Glenfinnan resident and community councillor Ingrid Henderson, said: “We have a high number of visitors to the Glenfinnan railway view point that is continuing to grow.”
The entrance to the viaduct has a dozen or so car parking spaces, woefully short for the visitors who come on a daily basis to see it.
“On a random Tuesday afternoon in July we counted 700 visitors to the viaduct alone – with no proper car park that was making things along the roadside very dangerous.
“Instead of grumbling and moaning about the visitors we pulled up our sleeves and found a solution.
“All being well we will have a 120 space car park up and running for the season getting underway in 2019.”
Top five reasons to visit Glenfinnan
1. A climb up Glenfinnan Monument
Stroll to Glenfinnan Monument and make a short climb up to the viewpoint above the visitor centre to be rewarded with superb views of both the monument and renowned railway viaduct.
2. See the Jacobite train on the Glenfinnan Viaduct
For something more energetic, bring walking boots for the Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail and take to the open hillside overlooking the West Highland Railway, following it round to Glenfinnan’s historic little train station.
3. Spot the island of the Triwizard Tournament
An essential visit for all Harry Potter film fans – spot the viaduct enroute to Hogwarts and the island where the Triwizard Tournament was held.
4. Golden Eagles
Visitors may spot both Golden eagles and White-tailed eagles soaring overhead or the movement of trout and salmon in the calm waters of Loch Shiel.
5. Winter Sun
The sight of the winter sun falling below the horizon at the far end of the loch must be one of the most evocative landscape views, and photo opportunities, in Scotland.
