Parking at Sutherland beauty spot Falls of Shin branded “total rip-off” as visitors hit with hefty fines
The owner of a restaurant at a Sutherland beauty spot has said he is trying to change a parking system that has sparked anger amongst visitors and local people.
John Morphet, who bought the Falls of Shin Visitor Centre last year, said he hoped the issue would be resolved with the installation of an “old-fashioned” card payment machine in the car park next Wednesday.
Unwary drivers to the beauty spot have been hit with hefty fines after an automatic number plate recognition parking system was introduced.
Visitors have vented their anger on social media, calling it a “total rip-off” and a “terrible parking experience”, with some vowing never to return.
Lairg Community Council decided at its meeting last week to try to join forces with other community councils to write to Mr Morphet.
One community councillor, who did not wish to be named, said: “There is not going to be a business operating down there shortly if this is not sorted out.”
Local councillor Michael Baird said that Highland Council officials were also hoping to speak to Mr Morphet with suggestions that parts of the car park could be owned by the local authority and Forestry and Land Scotland.
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Mr Morphet, who runs the Pure Leisure Company holiday park business, and also owns Gledfield Estate, bought the visitor centre from the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust after it had been closed for a number of years.
The newly formed Salt and Salmon Company took over the running of the restaurant in January.
The new parking system is operated by a third party, Civil Enforcement Ltd.
Restaurant customers are not charged for parking if they enter their registration number into an device in the restaurant within ten minutes of arriving.
People parking at the Falls of Shin to walk the nearby trails or to see the falls have to pay £2 for parking via an app.
Dundee pensioner Elizabeth Kay (74) said: “On a recent visit to the Falls of Shin, I was greeted to hostile signs demanding parking payments and threats. What a welcome!
I was taken aback as my grasp of technology is not that great, and I do not do online banking, let alone have some app on a phone.
“I was relieved to see a notice that cash could be paid at the desk. This I promptly did and got a receipt that I displayed in my car. Imagine my shock when I received a notice in the post with pictures of my car. There was a demand for £60 if paid in 14 days or £100 if not paid.
“I appealed on this company’s website, and attached proof of my payment. They would not accept this.”
“Do they think the Falls of Shin is in the centre of London? I certainly will not be visiting again and have warned other potential visitors who have experienced an interest to stay away.”
Dornoch resident Katherine De Jonckheere received a parking notice in the mail after visiting Shin Falls in September.
“It is not good enough for the new owners to expect locals to support them when they are making money in such a backhanded way. The same vehicle recognition that picks you up for payment can spot a local registration too,” she said.
“I have just had a look at TripAdvisor and it looks like even the people who have spotted signs have had to pay fines because the system isn’t even working!”
Cllr Baird said he had been contacted by a number of people who had received fines and was advising them not to pay.
Mr Morphet said the system had been aimed at tourists and not local people, but that there were ‘anomalies’ that had led to the upset.
“I am not enamoured with this parking system and have gone back to the parking people and on October 16 we are putting in a good, old-fashioned car park machine where you pay using your credit card or cash,” he said.
“I have not benefited a penny from the fines that have been charged.”
