One of Scotland's more popular tourist attractions has urged action to improve public transport connections saying visitors are "leaving disappointed".

John Currie, who runs the National Trust Visitor Centre in Glenfinnan, said rail and bus services are "nowhere near up to the challenge" of tourist demand.

This he said was encouraging visitors to take cars to the area and with limited parking many are forced to drive on.

The centre, which tells the story behind the famous monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie and failed Jacobite rebellion, has experienced its busiest year on record.

Glenfinnan is one of Scotland's most popular tourist destinationsGlenfinnan is one of Scotland's most popular tourist destinations (Image: Martini archive)

Mr Currie joined other business leaders in Lochaber who have urged government and Highland Council to prioritise improvements in transport and roads infrastructure in the UK's designated 'Outdoor Capital'.

The local chamber said repeated promises of investment by government were "hollow words".

"We work hard to encourage people to visit Glenfinnan without a car, but we need the right trains at the right times, so that people can visit the sites and leave at a reasonable time," said Mr Currie.

'People are leaving disappointed' 'People are leaving disappointed' (Image: David Mills) "The buses that pass through are often full so it’s especially hard for people to effectively plan their journey.

"An effective integrated transport plan could alleviate pressure by allowing people to travel by train or bus instead, but the provision is nowhere near up to the challenge."

"There is often no parking available after early morning, and most visitors arriving in the afternoon are leaving disappointed, unable to stop in Glenfinnan."

One of the goals of a new tourism plan put forward by Lochaber Chamber of Commerce is to promote the area more widely as a winter destination.

Frazer Coupland, chief executive of Lochaber Chamber of Commerce said a new campaign video was produced to highlight the "hollow words we’ve heard time and again about the government’s commitment to an integrated transport policy for Fort William and Lochaber".

He added: "After years of campaigning, we still don’t have a policy in place, and we desperately need one. Our community deserves so much better.”

A member of the chamber, who asked not to be identified, said: "People in Lochaber pay the same council as people in Inverness, and the same taxes as everyone else, but we do not get an equal share of the public services, especially essential investment in transport infrastructure.”


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David Phillips, managing Shiel Buses, said historic challenges had never been resolved and had only worsened over time.   

He said: “Congestion and infrastructure issues have made for a challenging environment to operate buses.

"A recent change to a local town service saw it impossible to run the previous 30-minute bus service in the area without an extra bus.

(Image: David Mills) "We operate this on behalf of Highland Council and as there was no additional funding available, sections of the route were removed throughout the day to best utilise the available resources.

“We very much regret any impact to our customers, but we have a responsibility to meet our commitments to our regulator. 

Traffic congestion on the A82 at Fort William Traffic congestion on the A82 at Fort William (Image: David Mills) "Positive changes to the infrastructure in Fort William could provide faster and consistent journey times and ultimately provide improved access to bus services for the population of the town, making it a real alternative to the car, reducing congestion and emissions.

"Change is desperately needed that requires action at both a national and regional level.”

A spokeswoman for Highland Council said: "As the A82 and A830 are trunk roads this is for Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government to respond to.

"We are maintaining our current spend on local bus services in the area.

"We will continue to work with local partners to make the case for investment as committed to within the Strategic Transport Projects Review.” 

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “We recognise the transport challenges being faced in and around Fort William.

“Included in the second Strategic Transport Project Review (STPR2) is the proposal to develop an Integrated Transport Plan (ITP) for Fort William. The ITP will be a comprehensive and multi-modal plan to increase resilience on the trunk road and to improve sustainable transport provision.

“Importantly, it will put placemaking at its heart and ensure the travel needs of locals, businesses and visitors are met.”