Council seeks land for car parking on B8008 Morar-Arisaig

The Highland Council is actively seeking land within the B8008 Morar-Arisaig area that could be considered suitable for expanding the area’s short stay car parking provision for day visitors to the beaches and coastal area.

The B8008 Working Group established in 2020, includes representation from the three local Community Councils, Road to the Isles Facilities Group, Road to the Isles Marketing Group, impacted landowners, Police Scotland and Council officers from roads, parking, waste, amenities, outdoor access, and ward management.

The objective of the group is to work collaboratively to mitigate the parking and road issues that impact the area in high season, particularly May-Sept and to ensure that a whole area approach is considered when implementing change to avoid displacing issues to other local areas whilst looking to improve visitor amenities in a way that is considerate of the surroundings, rural environment, and residents.

Lochaber Area Committee Chair, Cllr Kate Willis said: “Members are acutely aware of the growing concern over the lack of capacity for off road parking along the B8008 Morar – Arisaig coastal road, which communities continue to contact us about. The reality being that options explored by the B8008 Working Group and the Road to the Isles Facilities Group around the possibility to extend Camusdarach beach area car park and to create a new car park opposite, Silver Sands, Morar area has been exhausted and the planning applications removed.  

“Whilst disappointing that a solution to improve the available off-road parking is yet to be achieved, Council officers continue to explore suitable land for car parking/park and ride options by reviewing Council land that could create some additional off road parking spaces on the B8008.  However, the Council owns very little land in the area and are therefore seeking landowners to come forward to discuss options that could mitigate road congestion and provide safe off road options for the thousands of visitors looking to enjoy the beautiful beaches and surrounding area.”

The development timescale for a new car park, including planning permission, legalities and procurement can take approximately 12-18 months to prepare, and we ask any landowners who think they may have suitable land for consideration to come forward for a preliminary informal discussion with the Council’s Principal Traffic Officer.

What are the benefits to landowners?

• Landowners can secure an income from a site as either a fixed lease agreement or a share of income generated from parking revenue.
• Landowners could apply for financial funding to assist with the development costs.
• By implementing parking provision in the area, parking income could be invested to continue to improve infrastructure to enhance the visitor offering and aid economic recovery for the Road to the Isles area. 50% of income (after operational costs) is retained by Local Area Committees to invest on local priorities.
• Improve journey time and reduce the number of vehicles parking in non-designated areas.

The Highland Council is inviting landowners within the B8008 area to email the Council’s Principal Traffic Officer, shane.manning@highland.gov.uk with a view to discussing land acquisition options for short stay car parking.

Camusdarach beach