North West Highlands Geopark in frame to take over closure-hit Talmine public loos
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A PUBLIC toilet block on the north coast which has been shut for around four years, could be brought back into operation again, it is hoped.
The North West Highlands Geopark is considering taking over the Highland Council owned public loos at Talmine.
The facility shut its doors in 2018 as part of a cost-cutting exercise by the local authority. Tongue, Melness and Skerray Community Council has since been lobbying to have it reopened, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
Community council chairman David Macleod said: “Basically they are saying it is too expensive and that there is no need for the toilets at Talmine because there are public conveniences three miles away at Tongue and 30 miles away at Durness."
Some two years ago the community council turned its focus on finding a local group that might be prepared to take the loos on under an asset transfer.
However, the £5,000 annual running costs, which include water, electricity, maintenance and cleaning, have put off potential operators, although the community council believes savings could be made by taking steps such as installing motion sensor lights and an honesty box.
“No one was prepared to take it on because of the cost,” said Mr Macleod. “Highland Council is insisting the building would have to be fully insured and there is also the cost of maintenance as well.”
He added: “It is a terrible situation when you have more and more visitors every year and less facilities.”
However, there is a glimmer of hope with the Geopark suggesting that they might be prepared take it on.
“There is really nothing else on the horizon at the moment,” said Mr Macleod. “Looking further down the line, we should have some community money coming in probably next year and it might be we could use some of that to open the toilets.
“But that is a year, two years away and we do not know what other demands on there will be on the money."
North West Highlands Geopark manager Dr Laura Hamlet told the Northern Times: “The Geopark charity board is checking if it is within our charitable objects but also if Tongue Community Council would be able to cover the costs. Those are the two main concerns."
A spokesman for Highland Council said: "The closure of the Talmine public convenience was agreed as part of the council's savings in 2018. If a local group or organisation wanted to take on the facility, first a lease would be arranged while they pursue a community asset transfer.
"The group would then be responsible for fully insuring and maintaining the business."
The spokesman said the new operators could apply to become part of the authority's comfort scheme - where facilities such as pubs, restaurant, hotels and village halls open their toilet facilities to the public and receive a small grant for doing so.
