A SECTION of Scotland’s popular NC500 route is to be temporarily closed to allow works to take place.
The Bealach na Bà, leading to Applecross in Wester Ross, is scheduled to for evening and overnight closures throughout September and October.
It means that this part of the route will be shut for a period of around eight weeks.
The route is one of Scotland’s most popular tourist activities, although has faced a number of issues around campervans and toilet facilities, for example.
Salmon farming company Bakkafrost Scotland has announced it is to install a 16.5-mile cable along the road to take power from the Allt Na Moine Hydro Scheme to its Kishorn hatchery.
The road will still be open during the day and drivers will be diverted to follow the coast road via Shieldaig.
However, locals have shared concerns regarding disruptions from the planned infrastructure upgrades, with the road being inaccessible from 8pm until 7am during the works.
Councillor for Applecross Megan MacInnes commented: “Feedback has been given in meetings with the developers and by email on numerous occasions.
“Specific examples from those whose jobs, income, livelihoods and businesses will be impacted have also been provided.
“This includes people in Applecross who work, for example in Kishorn or Lochcarron, who will not be able to travel to work on time during the closures.
“This also impacts businesses in the hospitality sector on the peninsula whose bookings are already being impacted by the rumours of proposed closures.
“Despite this, the developers are refusing to consider changing the times of the closure and the Highland Council’s Road Department has now agreed to a nightly closure from 8pm-7am starting during the week of September 7.”
A spokesperson for Bakkafrost said: "Drivers will be diverted to follow the coast road via Shieldaig.
"We understand that many have asked for a shorter period of closure each night. We plan to have three teams of workers working 11 hours per night whilst the nights are still relatively light and long, which means we can complete the job before the winter weather conditions.
"Working to this timescale is necessary to ensure the safety of all workers."
