Assynt Community Council left in the dark over closure of Achmelvich beach toilets

Highland Council has closed the dilapidated public toilets at a north-west Sutherland visitor “hot spot”, without consulting local people, it has been reported.

The local authority is said to have recently taken the decision to shut down the toilets at beautiful Achmelvich beach, visited by thousands of people a year, because they are in a state of disrepair.

Assynt Community Council discussed the closure of the beach toilets at its meeting, which was held in person and online, last Thursday evening.

Chairman Liam Taylor said he was already receiving complaints about the closure and had raised the issue with Highland Council amenities manager Debbie Sutton.

He has asked Ms Sutton why the community council was not informed about the closure beforehand and what the “contingency plan” for the summer season is.

Community councillor Alex Dickson asked whether portaloos could be brought in "as a temporary measure".

Achmelvich beach is around 4.6 miles to the north-west of Lochinver, where there are public toilets.

Following the meeting, community council secretary Phil Jones told the Northern Times: “There is a small toilet block (at Achmelvich beach) that has always been open.

“When Highland Council went to look at it earlier this season, they realised it was in a bad state of repair and decided to close it, but did not tell us.

“People are turning up and finding the toilets locked and going round to the back and toileting outside.”

It is understood that outside cladding is hanging off the roof of the building, and there is concern it could be a health and safety hazard to toilet users.

Mr Jones added: “Long-term we had been due to receive the toilet block - a transportable pod-type structure - from Gairloch because they are building a new toilet block there but this was on the cards three years ago."

Visitors to Achmelvich beach have been posting on travel site Tripadvisor about the toilet closure.

One said: “Beautiful beach, stunning location. My very low rating is not about the nature of the place. It’s about Highland council, who closed the loos and put up a parking meter.

“You can’t cut amenities to zero and expect visitors to pay.”

Another site user described the toilets as “prehistoric”.

Highland Council has been asked for comment.

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