Built Environment Baseline Report 2019 Produced as part of the Wester Ross Destination Development Plan preliminary research Context Upwards of an estimated c.100,000 tourists visit Wester Ross each year, sustaining local communities through their input to the local economy and tourism accounts for 35% of employment[1]. However, in the current climate (Summer 2019) there are concerns that a rise in tourism of up to 27% (estimate[2]) over the past few years may not be sustainable. Although a different perspective is that this has followed a deep recession in the tourism industry and visitor numbers have yet to return to the high levels enjoyed during the 1990s, the current situation is exacerbated by Local Authority and Public Agency budget cuts which have resulted in plans to close public toilets and a deterioration in road quality. In addition, the type of visitor has changed, Wester Ross is welcoming large amounts of campervans which require waste disposal facilities which are not yet in place. Local people are reporting over-flowing carparks and bins, increasing litter pollution and irresponsible behaviour. It is not unusual for local residents to cite increased litter as a negative aspect of tourism[3] and this together with other perceived negative impacts can become challenging to tourism development as the host community begin to view visitors less than favourably. Therefore, the World Tourism Organisation advises regions to adopt a model for tourism management which considers the social as well as economical and environmental impacts of tourism[4]. Mass tourism is not going away[5]. But currently, there is no hard-empirical evidence on visitor numbers, expectations and behaviour or condition of assets in Wester Ross which would allow communities, businesses, local authorities and public agencies to plan proactively. Tourism management in Wester Ross appears to be reactive whereas successful sustainable tourism must involve proactive planning and joint working. Without a strategic approach which considers all aspects of the visitor experience (Figure 1), the impact on the environment, publicly owned assets and cultural heritage could eventually damage economic development and quality of life and so careful attention must be paid to understand these issues more thoroughly. Through the Sustainable Heritage Areas; Partnerships for Ecotourism project, the Wester Ross Biosphere has been awarded funds from the EU Northern Periphery and Arctic Program to help create a more sustainable tourism environment in Wester Ross. Through the development of the project we have identified that there is a case for instigating a Destination Management Plan partnership to create a sustainable tourism culture in Wester Ross. Background Public sector representatives met in January 2019 to discuss the Wester Ross Biosphere’s proposal to produce a DMP that identifies the roles of the different stakeholders (involved in the visitor experience), sets out clear actions and shows where resources are required or available already either by existing commitments or by moving them around. The proposed DMP approach was enthusiastically received, particularly in terms of its call for pooling resources, sharing responsibilities and genuine collaboration with communities and businesses. Agreement was made between Visit Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Highland Council to take an active role: “Coordinating and supporting the management of the aspects of Wester Ross which contribute to a visitor’s experience, taking account of the needs of visitors, local residents, businesses and the environment to ensure future sustainability”. The Destination Management Plan should be based on a sound knowledge and assessment of all the features of Wester Ross that relate to the visitor economy. Visitors spend a large proportion of their time and money in the towns and villages of any destination and so, the quality of the built environment and public spaces are an important part of the visitor experience. The purpose of this report is to gather and contribute evidence to the DMP on the current status of the Built Environment (including the appearance and upkeep of towns, villages and other settlements and specific features, distinctive architecture, parks and gardens and the public realm) in Wester Ross and the opportunities and challenges it presents. This will help inform the identification of management objectives and priorities to achieve the following outcomes and aims: Outcomes This report will directly contribute to the two main outcomes identified of the Destination Management Plan for Wester Ross: #1: Wester Ross is being managed as a Sustainable Tourism Destination by a stakeholder partnership #2: There is a culture in Wester Ross of welcoming visitors and a positive vibe about future tourism Aims Five priority areas have been identified during the initial set up phase; 1) Creating an identity and sense of place in Wester Ross 2) Community Ownership/Buy-in/Empowerment 3) A better-defined destination 4) Get a ‘better idea’ of carrying capacity 5) Business Engagement Methodology Desk-based research, including review of Highland Council’s ‘Adopted’ WestPlan. This report focuses on the principles defined below: Definitions Built Environment: the human-made space in which people live, work, and recreate on a day-to-day basis. Roads are excluded from this report as they are detailed in the ‘Access & Transport’ Baseline. [1] Wester Ross Biosphere Reserve Application Dossier 2015 and conversations with Visit Wester Ross [2] North Coast 500 Economic Baseline Study 2017, University of Glasgow & Highlands and Island Enterprise [3] E.g. Rathlin Island Sustainable Tourism Strategy (2005) Tourism Development International/Judith A Annett Countryside Consultancy page 54 [4] World Tourism Organisation’s definition of sustainable tourism: www.sdt.unwto.org/content/about-us- 5 (accessed September 2018) [5] Sampson, J & Danelutti, C. (2018) Destimed and MEET (The Mediterranean experience of ecotourism): A regional approach to developing, managing and promoting ecotourism in protected areas. Presented to 8th International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks, Madonna di Campiglio, September 2018. Distinctive Architecture: built heritage of cultural and/or historical importance Parks & Gardens: Accessible to public, either free or for a charge Public Realm: External spaces in settlements which are accessible to all Results Wester Ross has a population of approximately 8,000 permanent residents. There are four main villages – Ullapool, Gairloch, Lochcarron and Kyle of Lochalsh – and a large number of smaller settlements and crofting communities scattered across an area which covers over 5200 km2. The relationship between landscape and the built environment creates the diverse and distinctive settlements which contribute to the overall character of the area. Settlement is focused where the land meets the sea and at the confluences of major glens, as historically people typically made a living by combining cultivation of the flatter, less stony ground with fishing and harvesting produce from the sea. The original fabric of older buildings is likely to reflect the use of local materials. Historically, buildings were oriented to provide the most shelter from prevailing wind and so had windows on the sheltered side, which may not have offered the best view that modern buildings often attempt to do. However, this orientation also meant that the building could make use of the natural light and heat from the sun without the need for artificial lighting or heating. The following information has been extracted from The Highland Council’s West Highlands and Islands Local Development Plan, focuses on where development should and should not occur in the West Highland and Islands area over the next 20 years: Ullapool was originally created as a Telford grid pattern settlement intended to service the fishing industry. Its site on a raised river flood plain on the eastern shores of Loch Broom afforded enough flat land and natural shelter to form a harbour and small village. Its character is dominated by the relatively dense grid layout of the street pattern (a designated conservation area); its harbour and surrounding rugged mountains and its role as a key service, employment and tourism centre for northern Wester Ross. Ullapool’s Harbour plays a fundamental role in its economy. The harbour’s ferry terminal has recently been upgraded and provides frequent crossings between Ullapool and Stornoway. It is also a popular destination for cruise ships and fishermen and yachtsmen are also frequent visitors. There is further potential at the harbour to upgrade facilities and access, including the development of a marina facility. There are opportunities for further business, industrial and tourism development to the north and close to Morefield Quarry. Important natural and built heritage designations include the Wester Ross Marine Protected Area, the Ullapool River Local Nature Conservation Interest and the Ullapool Conservation Area. Gairloch is a key service and employment centre for Wester Ross. It is a coastal settlement sited in an exposed position looking west across Gair Loch. Located within the Wester Ross National Scenic Area (NSA), the settlement lies within one of the finest landscapes in Scotland. Originally, the pattern of settlement in Gairloch related to the fishing and crofting industries. Tourism is now one of the principal economic activities