THE road to the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye is to close for improvement work next week with people encouraged to avoid the area.
Only residents will be allowed access to the Merkadale to Glenbrittle road while the scheduled work takes place.
Tourists who wish to visit the famous location will need to come back either when the road reopens after 6pm on Friday, November 15, or in the evenings when work for the day has stopped.
The road will be closed from 8.30am until 6pm while the work is carried out. Over the summer months, tour operators and visitors reportedly found themselves waiting hours to get in and out of the road to the Fairy Pools.
There have been calls for improvements to the roads to the tourist hotspot from locals, businesses, and tourists.
The Highland Council confirmed in September that improvements to the road would be made, with funding from the Scottish Government confirmed in October.
The two weeks' worth of roadwork is the first stage of planned improvements as more work is scheduled for next year when the “weather is better”.
One local man, who asked not to be named, told the Press and Journal: “This summer has been particularly difficult if you live or work along the Glen Brittle road.
“At times we have been unable to get in and out of the road, and in some instances, people could not get to work, or attend medical appointments because the road was jammed from morning until night.”
When asked by the P&J if he thought the roadworks would bring any improvement, he said: “It is true that anything to improve the road is welcome, and I hope that it will ease some traffic pressure.
Sandy Bloomer of the Scottish Independent Tour Operator Association (SITOA) said: “The investment is a positive step, ensuring that further damage to the road is reduced.
“However, a longer-term infrastructure plan for hotspots on the Isle of Skye is required to ensure that the island can cope with local and tourist traffic in the future.
“Based on available data, 2025 is going to be even busier than 2024.
“But the fact of the matter is until the number of people visiting the Fairy Pools is regulated, then we will likely be in the same position year after year.”
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