Walkers warned over limited parking for Ben Wyvis access with influx of visitors expected
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Visitors to one of Highlands' most popular peaks are being warned to beware the hazards of limited car-parking.
Ben Wyvis, north-west of Dingwall, attracts high volumes of walkers and climbers all year round but a significant influx is expected in coming days and weeks as large areas of the UK emerge from lockdown.
The 3432 ft Munro mountain is managed by NatureScot, with access – and parking – on Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) terrain.
Main parking is found south of Garbat, but space is restricted.
FLS is urging all visitors to the hill and national nature reserve to plan ahead and have a ‘plan B’ destination in mind in case the car park is too full when they arrive.
FLS visitor services manager Paul Hibberd said: “The national nature reserve and Ben Wyvis are really popular sites and have become busier in the last year, but the capacity of the car park is limited.
“This means that there are a growing number of occasions where people arrive to find that there are no spaces so some will just park at the roadside.
“This creates a hazard and causes roadside safety issues.
“That’s why we are asking all visitors to plan ahead, be considerate and park safely, and consider alternative sites to visit if they find it’s too busy when they get here.
“Please bear in mind that if it’s a beautiful sunny day it’s not just you who’s thinking about visiting.
“There is often space in the car park by early afternoon, as other walkers leave.
“We would urge everyone to continue to follow Covid-19 guidelines.”
FLS improved the car park earlier this year, but expansion is not possible due to the surrounding land being deep peat.
FLS says it is working with NatureScot to explore other possible solutions.
