‘They come here because it’s safe but coming here makes it unsafe’: MP on influx of Highlands holiday home owners

Holiday home owners have been arriving in the Highlands since the lockdown regulations were eased in England a week ago, politicians warned yesterday.

Their decision to travel north has been criticised for risking the spread of coronavirus to unaffected areas and needlessly stretching lifeline rural services, including health care and food supplies.

The influx of second home owners has prompted calls for tighter regulation and border controls yesterday.

Roddy McCuish, independent councillor for Oban South and the Isles and depute provost of Argyll and Bute, said: “When I am out and about on my daily exercise, I see lots of strangers and strange cars in our area and it’s extremely worrying.

“Now the Prime Minister has relaxed the lockdown in England it is obvious to me that the situation is going to get worse. If it’s going to get worse in Oban and the west, then it’ll be the same across the Highlands and Islands.

“I’d like to see stricter controls to stop people getting here. Until we, Scotland and England, are doing the same thing I would like to see some sort of border control.”

“I personally would put the Army on the border and get them to stop people.”

The head of the company which operates Caledonian Sleeper trains, Rupert Soames, visited his Highland estate last week after travelling from London to Inverness, despite a Scottish Government ban on non-essential travel. He said he had to conduct a job interview in Inverness.

Jamie Stone, the Lib Dem MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, said he has had numerous reports from constituents about second home owners coming to the Highlands from England.

He said the situation has not been helped by lockdown restrictions being eased in England while the Scottish Government is still advising people to stay at home.

Mr Stone said: “People say they are very welcome at any other time but not at the moment, and can they please not come over the border until they’re advised it’s okay.

“They come because they think it’s safe but coming here makes it unsafe.”

Highland councillor Liz MacDonald, from Nairn, said: “Second home owners are sneaking in. I’ve heard all sorts of stories. Police are doing their best and taking registration numbers but they’re even arriving by train.”

Councillor Robin Currie, Lib Dem member for Kintyre and the Islands, who lives on Islay, said: “The Scottish Government message is stay at home. Therefore, I think if we are law-abiding citizens, we should be staying at home. CalMac have been asking to see utility bills as proof you are resident here but a driving licence, which shows someone’s permanent residence, would be better.

“I wrote to Islands Minister Paul Wheelhouse a month ago to say it was happening. He replied saying further restrictions could place a burden on CalMac and police and, if I had specific information, I could pass it to authorities.”

Councillor Anne Horn, SNP member for Kintyre and the Islands, said: “We know people are coming to the area from outwith to stay at holiday homes.

“I think they are utterly selfish and are not showing consideration for the GPs and limited medical services and small hospitals which we have here. They are just adding to the pressures being experienced here.”

Dr Iain McNicol, who was the resident GP in his Appin for more than 30 years, said: “There are definitely some well-known suspects who have big holiday homes here. Some are here, others have been going to and fro.”

The Scottish Government said: “Our message remains the same: stay home, protect the NHS and save lives. People must avoid travelling unless it is essential, and must not travel to second homes.”