Wester Ross has a total population of just over 6,000 and a population density of less than 2 persons per square kilometre. Whilst the population of Wester Ross has in general grown over the last census period, the change in the Torridon area has been negative, with up to 15% loss. The age structure in Wester Ross shows a significantly higher percentage of the population of retirement age or over compared to other areas of Scotland. The settlement pattern is based on crofting townships and small coastal villages reflecting the historic importance of the sea as a means of transport and a source of food and employment.
Almost a quarter of the housing stock in Wester Ross comprises second or holiday homes, compared to the Highland average of 7%. In the Torridon - Shieldaig area second homes account for up to 50% of housing stock. House prices in Wester Ross have over the last five years been generally higher than the Highland average with the majority sold to purchasers from outwith the Highland area. 65% of homes are owner occupied compared to 56% in Highland and 52% in Scotland as a whole.
The higher percentage of second or holiday homes is reflected by the relatively large number of self-catering businesses surveyed, with many operators based outwith the local area and some owning more than one property. The net economic effect of this is an outflow from the district and increasing competition for housing stock for young people wishing to reside in the area.
Most settlements in the Torridon area have reasonable access to a range of basic services, but some, such as access to doctorís surgeries, banks and petrol stations is limited. Public transport services are available to most communities, although the service and frequency is limited. Car ownership rates are higher than is general in Scotland, although the 1991 census showed 24% of Wester Ross households with no car.
The proportion of the economically active at the 1991 census is lower than that for both the Highlands and Scotland generally, reflecting in part the demographic profile of the area and limited range of employment opportunities. Employment in Wester Ross is characterised by the high proportion of jobs in distribution, hotels and catering, emphasising the importance of tourism to the area. Seasonal trends in employment also reflect the tourism related nature of work, with significant summer seasonal peaks and winter troughs.
Full time |
Part time |
Total | |
Agric. Forestry, Fish Manufacturing Energy and water Construction Trans. & Comm Distn. & Catering Fin & Business Public Admin etc Other service Totals |
60 0 0 10 10 80 10 10 10 180 |
20 0 0 0 10 40 10 20 0 100 |
70 10 0 10 10 120 20 30 10 280 |
Source NOMIS Annual Employment Survey
Notes Due to confidentiality reasons all figures other than column totals have been rounded to the nearest 10
Figures represent employees in employment only, and not self-employed
Data from MAFF/DAFS excluded
Employment 1996- Ross and Cromarty Ward 4
(Includes Diabaig, Torridon, Shieldaig, Applecross, Kishorn and Lochcarron)
TABLE 2 EMPLOYMENT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE LOCH SYSTEM
TYPE |
FISHING |
FISH PROCESSING |
FISH FARMING |
SHELLFISH FARMING |
SHELLFISH GATHERING |
FULL TIME |
46 |
|
40 |
||
PART TIME |
7 |
17 |
6 |
||
SEASONAL |
|
10 |
Three quarters of Wester Ross is over 150m in height. The majority of land is suitable only for rough grazing with limited areas of rough grazing and capable of producing a narrow range of agricultural crops. Woodland cover is about 3% indicating the unsuitability of the area for producing tree crops.
The outstanding scenic beauty of the area is recognised in the statutory designation of 65% of Wester Ross by top tier natural heritage designations, SSSI, NSA, SAC, SPA.
%OF LAND COVERED BY NSAs AND SSSIs
Wester Ross |
Highland |
Scotland | |
NSA |
57 |
21 |
13 |
SSSI |
20 |
19 |
11 |
NSA/SSSI |
65 |
35 |
n/d |
Source - Crofters Commission
The Loch is part of the Torridon Marine Conservation Area and the Loch is legislated by the Inshore Fisheries Act 1984.
Seal numbers are monitored by the Sea mammal Research Unit on a regular, if infrequent basis and studies have shown a change in the balance of numbers from greys to common seals, although overall numbers in the loch are not great.
The agriculture in Wester Ross is mainly crofting, with sheep as the main livestock. The area is classified as a Less Favoured Area. The main townships in the study area are
TOWNSHIP |
NUMBER OF CROFTS |
Diabaig |
21 |
Alligin |
17 |
West Alligin |
12 |
Fasag |
5 |
Annat |
8 |
Shieldaig |
16 |
Ardheslaig |
7 |
Kenmore |
6 |
Arinacrinachd |
1 |
Fernbeg |
6 |
Fearnmore |
7 |
Total |
106 |
Source-Crofters Commission
In addition there are a small number of farms, also classified as mainly sheep units.
% Farm type, Applecross Parish
LFA Mainly Sheep |
6 |
Small Units |
76 |
LFA Sheep and Cattle |
0 |
Others |
18 |
Employment in the agricultural sector in Ross and Cromarty generally has declined by 50 from 1,251 to 1,201 in the period from 1990 to 1997(Agricultural Census data, Ross and Cromarty) with the largest losses being in the full-time employed category. This is indicative of a loss of paid employment on units and is compensated to an extent by an increase in the number of occupiers working themselves on the holdings.
Cattle and sheep numbers also dropped by 3,575 and 21,135 respectively and there was an overall decrease in the area farmed from 450,167 ha in 1990 to 444,278 ha in 1997 with an associated increase of 10,867 ha of woodland in the same period.
Traditionally agriculture has supported many families in the Highlands and losses in the primary sector are particularly damaging to fragile communities.
From employment estimates of 8100 in 1996 in the Scottish fish catching sector, 113 or 1.4% are based in wester Ross. Crofter and part time fishermen account for 6 and 16 of this total respectively. An estimated 60 are further employed in fish processing and the support sectors in the wider West Ross area.
An estimated 80 vessels base their operations in Wester Ross, and of these about 80% are below 10 metres registered length. The majority of the home fleet, both static and mobile gear, is highly dependant on waters within the 6 mile inshore fishery limit and effort is focussed mainly on shellfish.
Specific details of the vessels operating in the Torridon area of Skye and Lochalsh district show 18 over 10m vessels fishing for nephrops with trawl gear and 10 creel boats. In the under 10m sector there are 101 creel boats and 6 nephrops trawlers.
FISH LANDINGS BY UK VESSELS BY CREEK, WEIGHT AND SPECIES GROUP 1996
Ullapool |
Aultbea |
Gairloch |
Torridon | |||||
tonnes |
£000's |
tonnes |
£000's |
tonnes |
£000's |
tonnes |
£000's | |
Demersal |
5,383 |
6,000 |
2 |
1.3 |
106 |
123 |
35 |
18.6 |
Pelagic |
23,545 |
5,000 |
0 |
0 |
140 |
42 |
0 |
0 |
Shellfish |
671 |
1,200 |
92 |
217.0 |
260 |
678 |
286 |
586.6 |
Totals |
29,599 |
12,200 |
94 |
218.3 |
506 |
843 |
321 |
605.2 |
Tourism is a key economic activity in the Highlands accounting for almost one in 10 of all people employed in the Highlands. Visitors come from both within the UK and from abroad. Tourism is influenced by global economic events, such as recessions and relative currency strengths as well as the relative attractiveness of destinations.
Volume and value of tourism to the Highlands
Domestic Tourists |
Overseas Tourists | |||
1997 |
1995-97* |
1996 |
1994-1996* | |
Trips Bednights Expenditure |
1.8m 9.0m £322 |
1.5m 8.3m £278m |
0.6m 2.9m £133m |
0.5m 2.6m £112m |
*Three year average
Source STB Tourism in the Highlands of Scotland 1997
Taking the three year figures, between 1991 and 1997 the number of trips taken by visitors rose by some 17.5% and bednights rose by 16.5%. Expenditure in real terms decreased from £291m in 1991 to £278m in 1997(-5%). Expenditure by overseas visitors increased from £88m in 1991 to £133m in 1996(51%).
Serviced room occupancy rates in the Highlands are currently about 50%, lower than the Scottish average of 60%. Rates have remained stable over the past decade. Self-catering occupancy rates have significantly improved over this period, from just over 50% to slightly above 70%. Highland remains above the Scottish average in this sector.
Tourism in the Highlands is affected more by seasonality than is Scotland generally.
Source STB Tourism in the Highlands of Scotland 1997
Results of telephone survey of a range of businesses in the Loch Torridon study area
BUSINESS TYPE
TYPE |
HOTEL |
BED&BREAKFAST |
SELF CATERING |
OTHER |
NUMBER |
2 |
15 |
33 |
22* |
*Includes
Post Offices, Shops, Boat Hirers, Campsite, Builders, Guides, Youth Hostel, Smokehouse, Caravans, Crafts, Shellfish processing.
TOTAL NUMBER OF TOURIST BED-SPACES
TYPE |
HOTEL |
BED&BREAKFAST |
SELF CATERING |
YOUTH HOSTEL |
OTHER |
NUMBER |
61 |
72 |
132 |
80 |
12 |
EMPLOYMENT
TYPE |
HOTEL |
BED&BREAKFAST |
SELF CATERING |
OTHER** |
FULL TIME |
27 |
3 |
10 | |
PART TIME |
6 |
10 | ||
SEASONAL |
23 |
7 |
20* |
11 |
* Estimates varied, but including maintenance amounted to about 6 hrs/wk throughout the year
** Only includes employment directly related or mainly reliant on tourism
AVERAGE SPEND AND LENGTH OF STAY
TYPE |
HOTEL |
BED&BREAKFAST |
SELF CATERING |
OTHER |
LENGTH OF STAY |
2.5 days |
1.5 days |
1 week* |
1 week |
AVERAGE SPEND |
£61/day |
£16/day plus meals |
£223/week |
£150/week |
*All self catering operators reported some two week stays, but the bulk were one week.
LENGTH OF SEASON
TYPE |
HOTEL |
BED&BREAKFAST |
SELF CATERING |
OTHER |
NUMBER |
52 weeks 28 weeks |
32 weeks |
24.5 weeks |
6 weeks |
FACTORS ATTRACTING VISITORS BY ORDER OF IMPORTANCE
Peace and quiet |
Remoteness |
Film location-Loch Ness |
Scenery |
Timelessness |
Bad roads |
On coast road |
Fresh Seafood |
Woodlands |
Wildlife |
Proximity of Sea |
|
Shore walks |
Human Scale |
|
Coastal location |
Munros |
VISITOR ACTIVITIES
Walking/Climbing |
Photography |
Touring |
Winter climbing* |
Watching wildlife |
|
Fishing- sea & loch |
|
History |
|
Canoeing/boating |
* less important than used to be
OPINIONS ON CONFLICTING USE OF AREA
Mobile fishing gear vs static gear |
Salmon farms-visual intrusion vs employment |
Present tourist levels sustainable |
Balance not achieved on coastal development |
Available bedspaces limit numbers |
OF THOSE WHO RESPONDED TO THE QUESTION
"What % of tourists are attracted by the Loch" - 44% stated that the loch attracted tourists in its own right and the remainder were unable to split the draw of the loch from the landscape generally.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS
1997 was a poor season-strong pound
Change in tourism-more self- catering and less B&B
Pattern of tourism changing- visitors more mobile and stay less
Decline in traditional agriculture and less use of shore eg for seaweed collection
Severe decline in freshwater fishing and related employment
Fun and friendliness gone from tourism
Visitors demand hotel standards at B&B prices
Too many studies leads to confusion
POTENTIAL FOR DIVERSIFICATION
Boat operations-either guided, sea fishing or evening cruises
show visitors round aquaculture units
Diving charters/supplies
Provision of information
More cafe, tearoom type facilities
Pub-life-evening entertainment of a traditional type
Crofter Forestry, woodland regeneration schemes
APPENDIX A
Income Multipliers per standard industrial classification
Multipliers | ||
Industry Group Agric. Forestry, Fish Mining Manufacturing Energy and water Construction Trans. & Comm Distn. & Catering Fin & Business Public Admin etc Other services |
Output multiplier 2.14 1.78 1.59 1.93 2.05 2.05 1.96 1.77 1.85 2.00 |
Income multiplier 3.18 1.96 1.72 2.43 2.28 1.87 1.74 1.91 1.30 1.99 |
Source- Scottish Economic Bulletin Sept 1997
APPENDIX B
DESIGNATIONS AFFECTING TORRIDON AREA
INSHORE FISHERIES ACT CLOSURES EC Council Regulation 3094/86 Article 18(2) and S1 1447 Loch Closure applicable from 1 October to 31 March for mobile gear and the use of suction dredging gear is prohibited all year.
Trawling ban was introduced to protect juvenile herring stocks and current scientific advice recommends the continuation of the present levels of protection. During the open season the loch is accessed by both local and stranger vessels, and over te years there has been real conflict between local creel boats and trawl fishermen. A local port committee was established in Gairloch in **** with representation from the Torridon boats. This committee failed to adequately express the concerns of the Torridon men and they set up their own port committee in the early 1990's under the chairmanship of the Portree based Fishery Officer. The committee drew up a code of practice which aimed to develop best practice and attempted to encourage cooperation and dialogue.
At the time of preparing this report the Controls of Inshore fishing are being reviewed by the Scottish Office with a wide public consultation exercise undertaken. Significant responses had been received on the proposal to continue with the present levels of closure in Torridon and the Inner Sound, both for and against the notion to close the area year round to mobile gear. This proposal has the support of Highland Council and has caused significant debate in the media regarding the relative merits of the closure. The final decision on the closure will be made later in 1999, with the arrival of the Scottish Parliament affecting the timing of the outcome.
SHELLFISH HARVESTING DIRECTIVE
SSSI TORRIDON FOREST SSSI Notified 1974 5,872.6 ha Biological and Geological Conservation Review Site interest.
ABHAINN ALLIGIN SSSI Notified 1988 30.8 ha woodland/heathland interest in river gorge.
SHIELDAIG WOOD SSSI Notified 1985 223.8 ha Native birchwood and Scots pine.
NATIONAL SCENIC AREA part of the largest NSA which covers part of the outer Loch Torridon, Loch Shieldaig, Inner Loch Torridon. The area was selected in 1980 due to the mountainous and coastal scenery interspersed with fresh water lochs and showing woodland, botanical and ornithological interest. NSAís were designated and conferred with special development controls and extend to similar boundaries as Planning Authority, mean low water of spring tides.
MARINE CONSULTATION AREA MCA/02 DESIGNATED JANUARY 1990
This designation recognises the quality and sensitivity of the marine environment within the site which extends to 2,820 ha, covering the Inner Loch and Loch Shieldaig. MCAís were introduced to enable coastal communities and management bodies to become more aware of marine conservation issues in the locality.
NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND PROTECTED SITES
The National Trust has owned the 13 ha Sheildaig Island since 1970 and the 6,516 ha Torridon Hills since 1967. The NTS is a charitable organisation which acts to promote the permanent preservation of Scotlandís heritage, historic places, fine buildings and beautiful landscape and to encourage public enjoyment of them. The status of the Trust is conferred under the National Trust for Scotland Order Confirmation Act 1935.
