I found myself thinking about Glenfinnan just now. It is a small hamlet on the A830 road between Fort William and Mallaig, famous for an arched railway viaduct. And that railway viaduct, constructed by "Concrete Bob" Macalpine, has rose to fame as it features in the Harry Potter franchise of movies. The villagers are driven to distraction by the hordes of people who descend on their little patch for the express purpose of watching a steam-train driving over the viaduct. Because that would be the Harry Potter train. Extensive carparking has been made available, but still, visitors park irresponsibly and walk along the road without due care and attention. It is a gripe that extends into Skye, not that far up the road, which is also the setting for various famous movies.
Although in the past you'd have to take a ferry to Skye, there has been a bridge to that island now for 30 years. I am certainly not opposed to tourism (I have helped out in the tourism industry for some years), but do feel it should be better managed.
In the Outer Hebrides, you can't just hang a left at Ullapool, drive 50 miles and you're in Stornoway. You have to shell out at least £100 take a car on the Loch Seaforth (one way), sit on the ferry for the better part of three hours and hope the Minch is not too bumpy. Point I'm making: you have to actively want to come here. The campervans were many and varied again this summer, but they are mostly gone now. I noticed that the local hostel is now closed until next Easter - so we're in the down season. Time to regroup, rejuvenate, take stock - and prepare for next year. All welcome.
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