A picturesque Scottish Highlands village has been swarmed with deer due to tourists treating them “like pets”.
Lochinver, situated along the coast of the Assynt district of Sutherland, is a popular stop on the iconic North Coast 500 driving route. It is renowned for its breathtaking mountain views and proximity to pristine sandy beaches.
However, local frustration is growing as the influx of tourists increases pressure on regional infrastructure. The surge in visitor numbers has challenged the community’s way of life.
As reported by the Scottish Daily Express, there have been claims that deer have been pestering locals and wrecking gardens. After earlier efforts using protective fences failed to deter the increasingly bold and occasionally aggressive animals, there is rising concern over the potential health risk posed by Lyme disease.
Local councillor Hugh Morrison suggested tourism was to blame, commenting: “This has been a long-running problem which is in a large part caused by tourists feeding the animals. For the deer, it is easy pickings and encourages them into the centre of the village, but after the tourists have gone it is locals who have to pick up the damage.
“I appeal to visitors to be more thoughtful. You can’t treat them like pets — they are wild animals.”
This is not the first sign of tension between residents and visitors along the NC500. According to the Scottish Daily Express, there have been reports of posters crudely telling tourists to “f*** off”.
Lochinver is located approximately 29 miles north of Ullapool, and is famous for its mouthwatering pies. It was once the busiest fishing port on Scotland’s west coast.
The NC500 has recently been plagued by issues related to the influx of Instagram influencers. Locals have taken to social media, creating a Facebook page titled ‘NC500 The Dirty Truth’ to shed light on the problems they face.
Residents claim their lives are being disrupted by visitors flocking to capture the perfect travel photo for Instagram, with campervans parking in laybys or even outside homes. Additionally, beauty spots have reportedly been marred by toilet waste and litter.
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