Latest news with #TheBoatShed
STV News
2 days ago
- Business
- STV News
Businesses still feeling the pressure five years on from landslip
Since opening in 2022, day trippers across Scotland have been attracted to The Boat Shed for its coffee and lochside views. But like so many businesses across Argyll, the café relies on the stretch of the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful, a road plagued by decades of closures and convoy delays. Often the road diversions via the neighbouring Old Military Road fail to show up on Sat Nav devices, making it harder for businesses like The Boat Shed to bring in customers. Café owner Neil Patterson told STV News: 'We've got an amazing location. But we are now dependent on day-trippers and if people are sitting in Glasgow or Edinburgh and they've got to get a ferry or go via Crianlarich, they'll just leave it until another time. STV News Neil Patterson, owner of The Boat Shed 'But what that means for us is we can have a full team of staff here and almost nobody to serve. So it literally can make the difference between us making a profit or losing money.' He added: 'The other challenge in this area is staffing and we have some staff commuting from Glasgow and if the diversion is on, it can add another hour to their journey.' This week marks five years since the road was closed to two-way traffic after a major landslip and temporary traffic lights were put in place. For local residents and businesses, it's just the latest unwelcome anniversary of the long-running problems with the now-infamous road. A series of diversions via the single-track Old Military Road have been in place on various dates throughout the summer and will be in place again on Monday and Tuesday. STV News Traffic diverted onto the Old Military Road The diversions are due to ground investigations, which Transport Scotland hopes will test the land and pave the way for an ambitious £470m debris tunnel solution in the area. The plans are currently out to tender, but campaigners say action has been too slow and now have doubts about commitments beyond next year's Scottish Parliament elections. John Gurr, the chair of the Rest and Be Thankful Campaign Group, said: 'All we're asking for is a two-way road that stays open when it rains. 'This impacts not only people trying to reach the central belt because for hospital appointments or to access services and get to other parts of the country. It's also impacting businesses. 'Argyll is a phenomenal place that generates a lot for Scotland and gets overlooked, and this one road is a lifeline road.' STV News The Rest and be Thankful. Scottish Labour MSP Jackie Baillie, whose Dumbarton constituency covers the area, said: 'We've been talking about this for 13 years now. 'Nobody can tell me how long this is going to take. 'I fail to understand why it's going to be quite so expensive and why it's going to take quite so long. Local people tell me there is another solution, which is to enhance the Old Military Road and create something that can be done quicker and cheaper. A Transport Scotland spokesperson said the Scottish Government remained committed to 'delivering a permanent and resilient infrastructure solution'. The statement said: 'The situation is being treated with the seriousness and urgency it deserves, with measures to maintain connectivity on a short, medium and long term basis being implemented to ensure Argyll & Bute remains open for business. 'Following the announcement of a debris flow shelter on the existing road as the preferred route, draft Orders for both the long-term solution and future phases of the medium-term solution for the diversionary route along the Old Military Road (OMR) have been published. 'Whilst there is always a desire to deliver proposed improvements to the trunk road network in a timely and efficient manner to provide the associated benefits to the affected communities and wider population, we are duty-bound to follow the correct statutory planning process. The statutory right for individuals to have their say on proposals cannot be set aside. 'This summer has seen considerable progress made with ground investigation work carried out, which is essential in gaining a greater understanding of the ground composition, the nature and depth of superficial deposits and the strength and depth of rockhead in order to design the foundations for the proposed scheme. 'Meantime, the investment to date for short-term mitigation measures, such as catch pits, has kept the road open when previously it would have been closed for considerable periods of time.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- Daily Record
Remote Scots village only accessible by single-track road looks like it belongs in the Alps
Surrounded by mountains and overlooking a shimmering sea loch, Lochgoilhead is among Scotland's most picturesque villages With summer making an early appearance, many across the country have been taking to the roads to discover or rediscover the best destinations Scotland has to offer. Often, its beaches are likened to the Caribbean or Mediterranean, while its glistening lochs rival Italy's famed lakes. On a recent journey, however, one explorer found somewhere that evokes the distinct impression of a village nestled in the Swiss Alps. That place is Lochgoilhead, and its 'Alpine' feel is no accident, surrounded as it is by the Arrochar Alps. This range of hills dramatically skirts the heads of Loch Fyne, Loch Long, and Loch Goil. Lochgoilhead itself sits, fittingly, at the head of Loch Goil, located within the peaceful Cowal Peninsula and part of the stunning Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Scottish Daily Express reports. Despite its seemingly remote appearance and being just 50 miles from the bustle of Glasgow, accessing Lochgoilhead means travelling predominantly on a single track road. The journey often begins from the simply awe inspiring Rest and Be Thankful, where the B828 leaves the A83. It then winds its way through the landscape, following the course of the River Goil, eventually joining the B839, which comes from the A815 Dunoon road further west, to take the driver into the village. The village normally has a population of around 400, a number that swells considerably in summer due to the holiday park located there. The caravans are set on a slope, enhancing the visual impression of tiny Swiss chalets dotted across a mountainside. The scenery is breathtaking, with the Argyll and Bute hills rising majestically above the sea loch, which is connected to Loch Long. Historically, Lochgoilhead was once a convenient stopping point on the route between Glasgow and Inveraray. In Victorian times, Glasgow's rich elite would frequent the village during summer, seeking escape from the city's less salubrious air. Today, it remains a popular destination, particularly with outdoor sports enthusiasts and families staying at the Drimsynie Estate Holiday Village. The estate offers a range of facilities, including a swimming pool, gym, restaurants, its own 9 hole golf course, and other amenities. For food and drink, the lochside cafe The Boat Shed is hugely popular, particularly with social media users keen to share their picturesque stop, though parking is limited and it can get very busy, especially if you are just passing through. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The Goil Inn also provides a welcoming place to enjoy some food and a well earned pint while overlooking the tranquil loch. Local amenities include a Post Office and general store, but be warned, it only accepts cash. The area surrounding Lochgoilhead is a true haven for nature lovers. Animal enthusiasts have the chance to spot red squirrels, pine martens, otters, red deer, and badgers on land, while the loch itself is home to seals and porpoises. Looking upwards, you might even spot a buzzard or an eagle soaring high above. Lochgoilhead even boasts a modest place in film history, with parts of the classic James Bond outing From Russia With Love having been filmed there. The drive from Glasgow city centre typically takes around 80 minutes, making this Alpine like escape closer than you might think.
