A misunderstanding between hillwalkers and a Highland farmer looks set to be resolved following a meeting between Highland Council's Access Officer and the owner of Kilfinnan Farm near Loch Lochy. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has welcomed the news and hope that the clarification of car-park charging arrangements in the vicinity of Kilfinnan Farm will lead to an end to the harassment and arguments that have taken place over the past few years.

Kilfinnan is a popular starting point for hillwalkers heading for the Munros Sron a' Choire Ghairbh and Meall na Teanga, and the Corbett Ben Tee. Many walkers park their cars around Kilfinnan, and the introduction of a car parking charge was seen by many as an unofficial attempt to harass walkers for payment for parking on the local authority maintained grass verge.

Following numerous complaints to the MCofS about the parking regime at Kilfinnan, Highland Council has now notified the farmer that he can only charge for parking beyond the bridge over the Kilfinnan Burn, as that is the end of the public road, or if a car is more than 5 metres from the public road. Signposts should now inform visitors when they are within the charged parking area, so the previous uncertainty over the extent of the charged parking area should be resolved.

MCofS Access and Conservation Officer, Mike Dales, said: "Over the last two years we had more letters and e-mails about this car park charge than any other access problem across Scotland, so it is good to see the local authority acting to resolve the dispute and clarifying the position with the farmer. We wish to hear from any walkers that park near Kilfinnan in the future and will monitor the operation of the new arrangement."

29 June 2004

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