Campaigners aiming to reopen public toilets at a Moray beauty spot are hoping to win support from abroad to achieve their goal.
Thousands of tourists visit Cullen every year to enjoy the stunning beach and views along the coast from the hill and viaduct.
However, locals fear that visitors could be put off spending longer in the town following the closure of the public loos at the beach and the square.
Now the Cullen Amenities Group has set the target of raising £9,000 to have the beach toilets open again before the end of March, with the ones at the square to follow.
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Member Julie-Ann Drake said: “Not having them open at the square has really been a nightmare for local businesses because that’s where people stop when they’re driving through to get an ice cream – it’s what you do.
“So many people come down to the beach as well so we want to tidy them up to make them more attractive with some surprises.
“It’s not just people in Cullen that have been supporting us though – we’ve had donations from nearby communities like Findochty and also from people in Australia and the US who want to see them kept open.”
The Amenities Group has estimated that it will cost about £3,000 to keep the beach toilets open for six months during the summer tourist season and a further £6,000 to open the site at the square for a year.
Money is needed to cover the utility bills for the conveniences as well as cleaning and other expenses, including paper towels and soap.
Moray Council decided to retain the public toilets at Cullen Harbour during budget talks last week but warned it would also close in 12 months.
Campaigners in the town have already raised £1,600 towards opening the other sites with donation boxes also due to be set up in the loos for visitors to add to the total.
Pledges to support the toilets can be made online at www.cullencrc.org.uk. Cash donations can also be made at the Cullen Ice Cream Shop.
