A SCOTTISH landmark featured in the Harry Potter films is being given a share of a £3 million funding boost to help create more than 100 parking spaces.
The car park near Glenfinnan Viaduct has been given nearly £270,000 in the latest round of funding from the Scottish Government’s Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund.
It is one of 18 projects to benefit from the cash which aims to ease demand from growing visitor numbers.
Others include £300,000 for toilet and motorhome facilities at the Old Man of Storr on Skye, and £260,000 for upgrading toilets along the banks of Loch Lomond at Luss, Tarbet and Inveruglas, on the west shore of Loch Lomond.
Cairngorms National Park is being given around £270,000 to help improve car parking, toilets and paths, and around £131,000 will be used for parking at Hoswick, Shetland, to help cope with visitors and cruise traffic.
Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced the £3m funding on a visit to the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
She said: “The growing popularity of our stunning natural scenery and rich historical sites is great for bringing jobs and investment to our communities, but can also put pressure on communities, services, transport and facilities – particularly in rural areas.
“This funding will help our industry keep up with the tourism boom by supporting the creation of much-needed infrastructure such as new pathways, car parks and facilities at some of our most iconic rural and natural attractions.”
Highland Council member Allan Henderson said parking problems at Glenfinnan were “unsustainable”, with congestion and safety issues on the nearby A830 road.
Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes added: “This is a turning-point for Glenfinnan. Thousands flock to the site to see the Hogwarts Express pass over the viaduct, as well as to visit the monument ... Glenfinnan is where history meets make-believe, and now tourists can enjoy both in a safer environment.”
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