Tourists ruining our picturesque Scots island, we’re considering drastic measures
ORKNEY residents are reportedly in an uproar as a tide of pesky tourists flood the scenic island.
Locals in Scotland’s most northerly point are calling for a cap on the number of cruise ships that arrive at this beautiful spot.
1
Islanders are demanding strict visitor restrictions similar to those in European tourist hotspots like Amsterdam and Venice.
The large number of visitors has forced city councils to impose road closures to ensure safety.
Julie Rickards, 62, owner of Straigona B&B in Tankerness, says something drastic needs to be done.
The business owner told The times: “We had over 7,000 passengers from three ships in one day and some ships had over 4,000 passengers.”
“It can’t be a great visitor experience for them either. All this is in addition to normal tourism. It’s just too much.
“No one is saying to ban the cruise business – the council is making a fortune on it.
“But we see no benefit and have a 10 percent increase in council tax.”
“We just want the impact on cruise lines to be better managed.”
The Orkney Islands Council is understood to be developing a “cruise ship booking policy” to limit the large number of tourists.
According to the Orkney Harbor Authority, 234 ships are booked for berth during the year, with passengers adding around £15m to the economy.
We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at scoop@thesun.co.uk or call 0141 420 5200