In Lochaber, a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) request application from the Road to the Isles Facilities Group was approved to lease Tougal public toilets and car park by Morar at no annual charge.

Councillors also agreed to lease Stac Pollaidh car park at Coigach in Wester Ross to the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland for £1 per annum.

Councillor Allan Henderson, chair of the Communities and Place Committee, said: “Tourism is vital for the economic recovery of Highland businesses from the coronavirus pandemic.

“These 2 successful community asset transfer requests are great news for our communities in Morar and Wester Ross, and Highland Council remains committed in these difficult times to facilitate CAT applications. I am confident that these two successful applications will contribute greatly to the council’s key strategic priorities which aims to encourage community-led and run services involving more people in local decision making.”

The agreed community asset transfer of Tougal public toilets and car park to the Road to the Isles Facilities Group will allow the group to continue to develop their plans for this project and when ready to locally run provision of public toilet facilities and chargeable parking in a popular tourism area.

At Stac Pollaidh, Coigach in Wester Ross the community asset transfer will enable the provision of improved visitor access to this iconic mountain, by the development of toilets and dedicated parking for at least 65 vehicles, signage and interpretation boards, viewing points and maintenance of the adjoining hill path.

Community Asset Transfer requests can be made under the Community Empowerment Act and the two applications approved this week by Highland councillors are subject to terms of transfer.