Here's what a few voters said about the Urquhart Castle plans...
Please remember to VOTE
Welcome to Tourist Trap International. As a person who lives in an area similar to
Scotland (the Ozark mountains in southern Missouri), I have seen the results of commercial
exploitation at its finest. All I have to do is look south to Branson. The billboards
outnumber the people, and the tour busses outnumber the dogs. If you really want to see
what "redevelopment" will do to YOUR country side look at Branson. It ain't pretty.
As an architect, as well as a Scots-American, I take umbrage
at any development (no matter its architectural excellence!)
which would disturb and sic alter the pristine quality of
Loch Ness. I have personally visited throughout Scotland in
1986 and am convinced that its culture and historical
integrity must be protected by its native inhabitants as well
as those of us whose heritage also lies there. I submit that
the beauty of Loch Ness and its surrounding villages, such
as Drumnadrochit, , Dochgarroch, Lochend, Brachla,Strone,
Lewiston, Invermoriston, Levishie, Fort Augustus, Foyers,
Dores,Inverfarigaig, and Scaniport, to name but a few,
is ill-served by developers whose sole motive is purely
fiduciary.
I WOULD HATE TO SEE THEM DESTROY THE CASTLE FOR REDEVELOPMENT. THE CASTLE SHOULD BE
RENOVATED AND KEPT FOR NESSIE. THE MONEY SPENT TO REDEVELOPE WOULD PROBABLY BE ALMOST
ENOUGH TO REBUID THE CASTLE. IT IS SUCH AN HISTORICAL SITE. PLEASE KEEP IT. THANK YOU.
SINCERELY,GLORIA
The castle is a landmark. It is something for young people like me to learn from. I'm 17,
and I have a desire to learn all I can about Scottland and it's heritage. I wish to visit
the castle in its origional splendour. Any devolopment would ruin the beauty of this
historical treasure. Please, if you have any heart, leave the beautiful Urquhart Castle the
way it is.
It is awful that anyone would wish to change the beauty
that already exists. I hope that by voting I can help.
Are you daft? This is something we Americans do! You're fortunate to have a LONG history;
I wish we did. Haven't been, but from what I see on TV and in books, the Loch area is a
great place to be preserved.
Any changes to this historic castle, or it's environs,
is nothing short of INSANE!!! Don't you know that once
something like this is lost it can NEVER be replaced?
I want to come to Scotland someday and see the highlands
where some of my ancestors are from, but NOT if it's
just going to be a collection of diners and gift shops--
I can stay here for that.
The true value of an historic attraction such as Urquhart
lies in its PRESERVATION. Any so-called "improvement" would,
in truth, ruin the historical and tourism value for all con-
cerned. If you TRULY had the good of the community in mind
you would never have proposed such an ill-considered plan.
When you see the buty of the site, it would really be
terrible to change it. However a shuttle from inverness
to the castle would be a great idea and a good opportunity
for people who don't have a car to visit this site.
Nice virgin areas are so few, don't ruin this one.
Keep things as they are. Are the planners trying to
turn this into an American-style tourist trap or
what?
I think that everyone should be able to enjoy the castle
and not have to mess with all the crap going on.
I live in Scotland, and as such feel entitled to an opinion that should be listened to.
Thank you to the people who are alerting the world of this crisis. I am totally against this
development and "interpretation". Someday, when I visit I want see what my great-great-
grandfather Donald McBain saw when he lived there. I do not want to see a tourist trap.
So many historical places are being developed and "ruined." Do not do it to Urquhart
Castle, too! Please leave it unspoiled and natural. Take your plans and leave!
After visiting this wonderful castle in Sep 1995, the things
I renember most are the peaceful area surrounding the castle
and the bagpipes that played. Don't turn it into just another
commerical tourist attraction! Keep it like it is and just
upgrade the road and the carpark!
Coming from a country where buildings 50 years old are
considered historic, I find it unbelievable that anyone
could consider the commercial tourist development of such
an ancient and world famous site. Developments such as an
extended car park, visitor centre or restaurant would
significantly detract from the beauty and historic
importance of the site. A major car park, visitor centre
and restaurant would be better sited in the village, with
a shuttle bus, walking and cycling tracks to connect to the
castle site.
Are you daft? This is something we Americans do! You're fortunate to have a LONG
history; I wish we did. Haven't been, but from what I see on TV and in books, the Loch
area is a great place to be preserved.
In the interests of historical integrity, the Castle should
be kept in its current state. A new road and car park would
be lovely, but they should be forgotten entirely if their
creation cannot be done without also constructing a visitor
center and restaurant. The natural state of the landscape
is of paramount importance - do not destroy the beauty of
the Castle.
It was a pleasant change to come to a country where one wasn't greeted by costumed
buffoons in an interpretation centre and where there wasn't a greasy spoon/hamburger
joint on every corner or within spitting distance of an important site.
Do everything you can to keep that gorgeous country from becoming a Disneyland ! I say
feed the developers to Nessie.
The castle should stay open for all to see.
What is needed is more public transport and genuine
measures to discourage car use. This is obviously part
of a wider issue - Loch Ness cannot be treated as a single
issue alone.
Ideally, no car park at all should be needed, because
no one will use a car to get there.
Just leave it as it is (don't make it uglier)
I deplore the trend towards packaging everything into
an "experience", usually expensive, when the real
thing is there.
Tourism is an essential part of the local economy and
should be supported, but I question whether this is
the way to do it.
The best environmental option must not be considered, it
should be implemented without question.
My final year Environmental Science students have carried out an informal
Environmental Impact Assessment on the different options and their decisions are lodged
with adrian Shine at the Loch Ness Project Centre based at the Drumnadrochit Hotel.
I think the main opinion was that something needs to be done but with as little
environmental disruption as possible.
A frequent shuttle bus and/or tourist narrow gauge steam train between Drum and the
castle might be option, with a nominal charge for the shuttle bus and more of a charge for
the train.
A carpark extension is needed ( but where you put it is a matter of debate).
A visitor centre & restaurant would almost certainly detract from the tourist industry in
Drum, and it would be wrong to replace the livelihoods of the local people and move the
centre of gravity of tourism and village life away from the village centre.
Sewage discharges would need to be considered carefully. The current sewage treatment
works is not sufficient to cope with current conditions sometimes.
Improve the approach road if possible.
Don't damage the lochside woodland SSSI. Don't pollute the loch or cause excessive
discharges of sediment into it. Important scientific research is currently analysing this
unique and sensitive site.Please don't let it be damaged!
Encourage informed, environmentally aware visitors.
Although I have never visited the site, I would one day love
to. Part of the draw is the history of the site. And while
tourism does change things, I especially appreciate visiting
the site and "transforming back in time."
I was fortunate enough many years ago to visit, Rota, Spain
where Christopher Columbus's castle still stands. It was
a very unique experience for both myself and the girl scout
troup I was chaperoning. There was no glitz or hype, it was
simply the castle as it stood long ago. The movies never
do justice to a true historical setting. Nor do improve-
ments. The girl scouts and I would not have gotten near as
much out of the castle, including its steep, narrow stair
way, cold dirt floors, barren rock walls, if it had been
modernized.
Please consider this as you plan out the future of the
castle.
I had the fortunate opportunity to visit Urquhart Castle on a late June evening in the
summer of 1993.
The day was with in one or two of the summer solstice, and the northern sky never
dimmed below a warm twilight.
It was on this night that I experienced something I will remember for the rest of my life.
In the dark, serene
setting, on the shores of Loch Ness...the castle was nothing less than moving to witness.
To Imagine what it
must've been like during the day of this great castle was no diificult task. I still get
goosebumps when I
remember my visit. To imagine this same majestic castle in the midst of a cacaphony of
tourist buses, it's
solitude forever disrupted by opportunistic private capital interests is an abomination I'll
never support!!
This castle has stood tall against the centuries, and surely will stand long after the men
who seek to devalue
it, and their children, are gone. We are but a blink of an eye in the life of time, and we
have the chance to
preserve a most palpable, moving and ominous chapter from the history of our world.
Please don't allow this
obnoxious development destroy a place so dear to the very heritage of our world! I don't
know if what I've
written is merely "singing to the choir, or if my words might be passed on to a place or
person who might use
in defense of the castle. My hopes and heart are with you!
Keep Scotland, SCOTLAND !!!
the balance between so called "development" and areas that can relate to and preserve
history is being shifted by plain and simple human emotion= GREED
Greetings... As most of my ancestry is from Scotland, I am more than happy to cast my
vote in favor of no concrete! I live in a tourist area (Daytona Beach, FL. USA) and have
seen enough "progress" to last me a lifetime. We wish you luck!
The relative solitude of the site is half the attraction!
I first visited Scotland in 1989 (my father was born in
Dundee) and made four more trips and will do so again this
year to attend the first-ever World Gathering of Clan
Rattray at Blairgowrie&Rattray. What I marvelled at in
Scotland was to find myself visiting sites that I only
knew from the history books, my God, they do exist! The
Rattray ancestral home (Craighall) is just one example and
is over 500 years old. In this ever-expanding global
village it is vital to maintain links with the past, it is
our history, our heritage, a way of life that had values
and meanings which are too often forgotten today.
Save Urquhart and you save Scotland!
Make sure
it stays
Visitors are interested in how a historic site was, not how it looks after being changed.
As a Scot, I strongly support the view that Urquart Castle
should be left in as near an original form as possible.
To plant a bus park and forest next to it is committing
historic Hari-Kari to the site. Why not build a multi-storey
car park instead ! You could screen it with Californian
redwoods !
The castle has a beautiful view over the loch and is very
photogenic from the loch and surrounding area. DO NOT SPOIL
THIS FEATURE or forever lose the site - to a modern day
culture that doesn't care about the past.
Support our historic monuments - keep them historic !
I would propose development, but under the joint control of
council & local people.
Expansion WILL happen, but those living in the area as well
as the council are the best people to see that it doesn't
go in the wrong direction.
Change is inevitable now or later. The world always moves
on. I have loved passing Urquart castle on my trips north
since childhood, but do not love the chaos that summer
brings to the area.
Please continue to maintain the castle in good repair!
Although I don't live in Scotland (or Europe,even) or never have
been to Loch Ness, and although I don't believe or disbelieve in
the Loch Ness Monster( I have yet to be swayed either way on the
subject) I believe that all buildings of historical value should
be protected(especially those of Europe).
Please do not destroy the character and appearance of this
famous site. Try to avoid the 'DisneyLand' approach to
unique historical sites.
Thank you. (my children will also thank you, when they're
old enough to realise....)
any castle and historic site such as at loch ness shold be
kept open and it atracts forgien torist to the area which helps the local economy
I don't really know what it is, but it sounds neat, and I'd
really like to go and see it! I may just be a kid, but I'm
smart!
As a student of Scots literature, it is terrible to see the greed and tenacity
usually reserved for American developers rear its ugly
head in the Highlands. Allowing any party to plow through
the Castle and surrounding area is to simply beg for an
uninterested, monetarily-motivated corporate juggernaut to
author the misfortune of Scots history. The culture has
too long been subjugated for other interests.
The area immediatly surrounding the castle should be kept as
natural as possible,however the current siuation regarding
parking at the castle is totally unsatisfactory,there is no
coach parking facilities avaliable at the castle and the car
park entrance itself is an accident blind spot. Something
has to be done about the parking facilities. The views of
the current tourist business owners should not be allowed
to carry too much weight many are more concerned over
keeping their own slice of the pie rather than allowing
controlled small scale development. There should not be
an overly massive abuse of the area......after all there
are already three developments in the area as it is.
I've not been to Urquhart Castle, but hope to someday. To me,
the surroundings of the British historical sites I've been to
is as important as the actual building, monument, or whatever.
They help "set the scene," provide historical context, and
allow the visitor to step back into time. Since I haven't yet
been to Urquhart, I don't know if the road needs improving or
not; however, it seems to me a shuttle bus from the village
would be beneficial in two ways -- reducing the need for lots
of parking spaces near the castle and encouraging visitors
to support the local economy by spending money in pubs or
shops. And I think providing access for the disabled is
always an admirable accomplishment.
I vote for there to be no development to Urquhart Castle
and it's car park. I think that this beautiful castle will
be ruined if development and commercialisation takes place.
The local people are against this development. Their views
should be taken into account. This is a completely
unnecesary development
I have visited Loch Ness twice and the Highlands three
times. I strongly urge you to avoid constructing any
facilities that encourage large group tours.
Here in Alaska, large captive tour groups have ruined
the experience for individual travelers who tend to stay
longer and leave more money in the local economy, because
they tend to stay in locally owned accomodation and eat
and drink in locally owned pubs and restaurants.
Too much these days is being impeded or defaced in the
interest of progress.With a bit of proper planning you
may have both. The castle has been there for centuries
don't destroy the ambiance of the setting for the sake
of a few pounds profit
I visited the site 2 years ago, and was extremely impressed
with the lack of commercialism. It allowed you to imagine
things as they might have once been, and kept people in a
pensive mood, as they watched the Loch for Nessie.
How dare you! You who would do this for the almight pound, dollar, shekkle, or
whatever money is driving you to destroying our heritage! Even if the castle were only
but a few stones high, it still represents something that has long outlived your so called
"new and improved" development. Think of the litter, pollution and degradation of that
landmark. Please, do not construct anything even remotely related to a "tourist trap" just
for the convenience of a few. Build it in the town! That is what towns are for! Leave
the landscape as such, not "land-scalped".
I want to vote to save the castle
I can not speak for the entire Clan Donald but I can speak
for my part of the Clan and we are very interested in the
preservation of heritage and history. We are also very
interested in the environment and what can be done to
decrease human greed in this area. We do understand that
human needs must be met but we also realize that human needs
can be just as satisfied and fulfilled without the expense
or sacrifice of the natural world that makes up our
environment. Those who are enpowered with the responsibility
of changing the lay of the land are merely caretakers not
owners of the land over which they maintain dominion and
are fools to think otherwise.
Castles are good representations of past times. The castle should be kept as it is.
I think they should keep the castle in the lake. The castle is the best part of the lake.
Keep the spirit of Nessie in the castle. Nessie is my favorite monster.
I think this is an exellent way to attract peoples attention to matters of interest that are
otherwise drowned in the flood of world news. My son Martin (11 years) is doing a
project on Scotland and these homepages have added life to the ongoing history of the
scottish highlands. Thank you for providing this information! Snowy greetings from
Uppsala, Sweden. Cecilia Winrow.
I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD JUST LEAVE THE CALTLE ALONE.
As a tourist from the USA last summer (PROUDLY and
nationalistically of Scottish descent), it was very, very
important to me to show my children (ages 10 and 12) what
I thought were the lessons that Scotland has to
teach the world. It was very important that they see and
touch many of these sites, to awaken those senses perhaps
deadened by too mcuh American TV! They went home impressed
by the natural and achitectural beauty, the conservation
and care of the environment, not wasting anything, people
who have time to talk and listen, and a deep-rooted fear
of black pudding. CONSISTENT with these lessons was the
manner in which many historic sites had been preserved.
I live in a part of the USA "poluted" by overdevelopment.
My experience tells me that whenever provate interests from
outside a community are repsonsible for development, that is
exactly whom the development benefits, and no one else. IF
IT IS NECESSARY to expand the use of an historic site, it
must be controlled locally and all impacts -- scenic,
environmental, spiritual, historic, economic -- must be
considered. It is these things that have made Scotland
the leader and the treasure that she is, and they cannot be
sqandered in the name of profit without destroying the very
things that Scotland is.
We here in Canada are just beginning to realize the importance of preserving our heritage
sites. It saddens me to think that such beautiful and historic sites are so disregarded.
Good Luck!!!
I would not like to see the Urquhart Castle change and prefer not to see a visitor centre
and restaurant development.
I've not been to visit yet, but, my wife and I will be
arriving in exactly 1 month for a trip through the Lake
District and into Scotland. We've been to Great Britain
once before, and one of the things I enjoyed most were the
various castles, ruins or otherwise, the ruins of the
abbeys and churches, and the sense of history that I got
from it all. Visitor centers, big parking lots, and masses
of people don't add a thing to the experience! Please do
not destroy the appeal of the site.
(I thought the way Stonehenge was done was quite acceptable.
The facilities were positioned so as to be out of site from
the monument. Very much appreciated. Makes for better
photos, too.)
While it is fine and dandy for some to have expensive tourist sites there are many sites
for tourist to go to which do not cost a cent. One good example of this is here in Virginia.
We have Colonial Williamsburg. While it does cost to go in some of the buildings the
Colonial area as a whole is free and the area has been restored to the way it was when
Williamsburg, VA. was the Colonial capitol. This is truly a lovely area to visit and is
close enough to go to for the day so that you really feel as though you have gotten away
from the hectic pace of life. Very well planned area to say the least!
What do they want to do? A new EuroDisney?
Please, keep the Urquhart Castle and the Loch Ness
on a free nature environment.
The idea of building a new car park is completely
distasteful. In rural areas, further traffic growth
should be discouraged. What about promoting green
tourism, encouraging cycle access (eg Great Glen cycle
route), or a shuttle tourist bus from Inverness (similar
to the Trossachs Trundlers)?
Encouraging car-based tourism in sensitive areas
will only accelerate the destruction of those areas.
The only traffic down the A82 should be buses, bikes and
that which is necessary for people who live in the area!
Oh, just noticed your comment about a cycle route proposal :)
This "development" is a disgrace and needs to be thoroughly re-examined.
I have been away from Scotland for many years but have returned frequently
to visit. On my last visit, we took a tour of the Loch Ness area and were
horrified to find a policeman directing traffic at the Urqhart Castle car
park. I could not imagine a more unsettling experience. The Castle site
25 years ago was still pristine and certainly needs to be
returned to the way it was, not further developed.
Run a shuttle and leave things alone. Too much of Scotland
has changed to accomodate big business and 'paid' politicians.
I have traveled widely and have visited many historic places. I have seen
how the placement of car lots and restaurants and other new facilities next
to a site has negatively impacted the site. I also have visited places
that have found creative ways to preserve a site's ancient beauty and have
a visitors center -- in the USA, Thomas Jefferson's home of Monticello near
Charlottesville, Virginia is an example. The visitor center is several
miles from the site and works quite well. Colonial Williamsburg
(Williamsburg, Virginia) also has located its visitor center, restaurants,
and enormous parking lot at a distance and linked it via shuttle buses to
the historic district.
I am quite concerned about proposed development plans for the Castle for
several reasons: (1) historic preservation (perserve not only the
building, but the historic setting!), (2) environmental aesthetics (keep
auto pollution, congestion, and commercialism minimal), and (3) personal
issues (ancestors from at least one of my family lines once owned and cared
for this region long ago -- I personally want my ancestral homeland
preserved).
In efforts to make this site more conducive to tourism, please do not
destroy it! People want to see the Castle and journey back through time --
automobiles and modern buildings next to the Castle will spoil the effect.
The Castle and its land is a treasure -- please preserve it. Work with the
villagers of the area, not against them. Seek out win-win solutions.
I am sure tourists visiting this beautiful area of Scotland,
would prefer to see an undeveloped castle in its original
surroundings - I know I would. I have been to Urquhart
Castle, and enjoyed the visit, but I don't think I would
want to stop there again if it becomes more developed.
If the area gets the development that is described I will
refuse to visit. I will visit if it does not undergo the
massive changes that are described in the previous
documents.
Please keep natural resources "NATURAL". We in the USA
know only too well the price to be paid when development
is let loose unchecked.
I have visited Urquhart Castle on several occasions.
Loch Ness is one of my favorite locations in what is
my favorite place in the world, the Scottish Highlands.
Take it from someone who has seen the results of
"tourist development" far too many times, don't develop
Urquhart Castle or its surroundings any more! Those of
us who appreciate surroundings with minimal human
disturbance will only move on to more remote surroundings.
What you will be left with is a dramatic eyesore and
thousands of vistors who have no appreciation or
care for the history and remarkable physical beauty of
the region. Are low-paying tourist season jobs really
worth it?
The Mystic of the castle ruins is the history that you feel when visiting the site.
DON'T Change a thing except perhaps the facilities neewd upgrading a bit.
I strongly discourage any development upon this historic sight.
So little of our hertitage is left to us that each impostion
upon it is a greater insult than the last. If any "development"
is needed it will not come with the laying of concrete, but
by respecting the land and leaving it to raise the spirits
of those who travel by.
I believe that you should try to leave everything as unchanged as possible. Everyone in
the world knows about Nessie, and the thought that developers want to cash in on it as a
huge vacation spot is pathetic. By all means visitors are important, but they want to enjoy
the majestic beauty as much as the legend itself. So please try to keep any improvements
minimal.
If investors want to make money they
should think about buying or building some sort of inn
and possibly a restaraunt. These should be built in such
a fassion that they look like they were there for a long
time.
I have seen the effects of development in small country
towns, It was not a pretty picture!
Lets do the best thing .....
I would like to vote to save Urquhart castle. This is an irreplaceable
and historic landmark. I cannot believe that anyone would consider
destroying it or harming it in any way.
The car park and access must be improved. However NO centre should be built at the
castle. The villages of Lewiston and Drumnadrochit should get better facilities from
Historic Scotland. Better roads and car parking is required in the village from the council.
Keep Scotland the way it was
meant to be - beautiful!
Please, keep the area as close to its natural state, as possible.
I have always dreamed of visiting the true Scotland, not a turist park. I am heartsick at
the idea thet all the true history and beuaty will be lost before I can get there to see it!!
Please don't let that happen!
Well, I live in Canada. It has *always* been a dream of my
father's to visit the site, but I don't think when he learnt
about it was a major money making place. He'd much rather
visit it as it was (as it should be) and I would rather send
him to that.
Personally, I do not like large "modern" visitor sites when
I visit Europe. Scotland has some of the world's most
beautiful scenery. It would be nice to keep it that way.
What a shame it is to hear that the famous Urquhart Castle is slated for commercial
development!
I can only imagine what sort of twisted plans are in the works for this
historical site. "Loch Ness" is famous for the assumed monster that inhabits its waters.
While
I may not believe that such a thing exists, I'm sure that certain individuals have already
started
planning a theme park centered around the well-known legend. Very nice. So not only
are they willing
to risk damaging a historically significant structure, but they also will ruin any chance of
finding
the answer to the mystery of Loch Ness. Do not make it any easier for this area to be
paved over
and made into a tourist attraction.
I would like to recast my vote after fully reading what the development company plans to
do to the area around Urquhart Castle. I was filled with disgust!!! Can't people leave
history and the environment alone? There is too much corporate greed in the world,
much to my shame, is in the US. No development!!! is my vote and I stand by it 150%.
Please don't overdevelop a lovely piece of history such as Urqhart Castle. I visited there
in 1994 and found it wonderful. The only improvements I can think of are maybe
improving the existing road and car park, nothing else!!
Urquhart Castle was a highlight of our trip to Scotland in
1987, and my daughters visited again on their trip last
year. I sincerely hope that its beauty is preserved
in accordance with the wishes of those fortunate enough
to live in its vicinity.
I have seen too many "tourist traps" in my travels. I have also seen beautiful, unspoilt
areas which I return to again and again. I have been in Inverness only once (although my
great grandparents came from nearby Dingwall) but hope to get back next year. Please
don't fall into the short-term greed trap! It would be a shame to have Inverness become
another Lourdes!
I agree totally with the author of the piece.
Scotland was "bought and sold for English gold once before - in the Union!
(And little profit had she from the arrangement!)
The "developers" (read RAPISTS), are the same smarmy bastards as are ruining America
and the world, for "thirty pieces of silver".
STOP THEM NOW!! (BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE FOR URQUHART,SCOTLAND,
AND THE WORLD.
Urquart Castle is part of our national heritage and to
that end we should protect it from ANYONE involved with
the Government, who wants to develop the site.
Leave the highlands most brilliant castle alone go smeg off down to london and leave our
country alone.
This is a place were a legend has been told,it desreves to be saved and protected for the
future.I have been there,and although I did not see Nesse,its still fun to keep the dream
alive.
As a past and fuure visitor to Britain and an avid student of Britain's history, I oppose any
move to disfigure the landmarks of this great country.
On the three different occasions when I have stopped to
visit the castle, I have had horrible experiences in the
car park, and while entering and exiting. I would like to
see this situation improved, and the tour buses exiled to
a seperate lot. The road should be improved, but only to
the extent necessary to improve visibility of the entry and
exit of the park, and to provide warning of the congested
area.
I am an American of Scottish descent, but I ordinarily do
not choose to express political opinions on Scottish
internal issues, as I am poorly informed. In this case, I
have first hand experience, and I feel that public safety is
an issue, so I am making a rare exception.
the creature will be disturbed if anything with noise involved is
is heard.
I visited Urguhart Castle this past summer. PLEASE, PLEASE,
PLEASE do not change a thing. It was beautiful, tranquil and
inspiring. It is one of my favorite memories of Scotland.
My husband and I visited the castle in 1977, and I think it
was the highlight of my life. I will remember my visit for
ever and ever.
My husband is dead now, but this wonderful memory is
ever so cherished. I would be very sad to think of this
lovely wild place as having been changed into a tourist
trap.
I only hope desparate measures will be taken to save
this beautiful place forever.
Behold yet another "blind" attempt in "improving" our planet.
Mans constant inability to plan for the survival of our world wide
historic sites because he is blinded by his greed, shall not only be
the death of our ancestory, but of our planet as well. One can
only hope that those who plan for the future of our heritage
can join in hands and attempt to open the eyes of progress so that
it may respect the fact that without its ancestors it would
have never made it this far.
Leave it as it is!!!!
There is a parkingplace(however very small)
I think it looked like a ruïne should look! NO need to change
anything.
Ruïns aren't suppossed to have big parking places and restaurants,
it takes away the reallity on how it was in the early days!
And isn't that the reason why people visit these old places?
To look how people lived in those days?
So DON'T TOUCH Urquhart castle!
A Scottisch country lover from Holland.
no change at all (what so ever
Keep everything as it is. It will be a greater tourist sight.
If it is changed then people will have a different view over
the whole thing. The Urquhart Castle is a beautiful place
and it should remain that way.No new improvements, nothing.
eep the old beauty and remains.
I look forward to making my first trip to Scotland, Great Britain and Ireland in the next
year or two. I am angry at hearing about the proposed development/destruction of
Urquhart Castle.
Coming from the U.S., a young country, I want to visit many historic sites which I hope
to be able to explore and study in as untouched a state as possible. As a tourist,
I am most interested in learning about local history and culture by meeting people and
through researching local resources, while avoiding those which obviously cater to
tourists.
Whether at home or traveling, I always try to support local businesses, and find it
objectionable that the developers are fighting the residents. However, I do support road
improvements
and a shuttle to help make the site accessible for all.
MAINTAIN THE CASTLE AND GROUNDS " AS IS ". NO NEW DEVELOPEMENT
WITHIN A ONE MILE RADIUS. IF THERE MUST BE A NEW TOURIST TRAP,
THEN BUILD IT AT LEAST ONE MILE AWAY AND PROVIDE A SHUTTLE BUS
TO THE CASTLE. THIS WOULD ADD TO THE ADVENTURE OF VISITING THE
CASTLE. IF ALL ELSE FAILS, BRING IN THE I.R.A. AND AIM THEM AT
INVERNESS AND NAIRN ENT. MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN YOUR ENDEAVORS.
The castle is part of the beautiful countryside.
Too much has already been spoiled by re-development and change
Leave the decision up to the people who live in the area and if the local people decide
that this development is needed then so be it. However, maximum development of an
area totally ruins the atmosphere of serene places. If the road needs improvement then
improve the road. Environmental conservation along with site preservation outways the
economic growth which developers always say will be created by more development.
Power to the people!
It saddens me to think that the historic value and beauty of such a castle could be ignored
because somone sees the opportunity to make money .
Living in the Far east, I've seen far too much done to aid tourism which ends up spoiling
the natural beauty of the country concerned. The attraction of many beautiful unspoilt
areas of our world would surely diminish considerably should too much be done to try to
`improve' them. Please leave the beauty of Urquhurt Castle and Loch Ness unspoilt for
ourselves,our children and our children's children.
Keep the castle as the same as it is intended to be; a
historical landmark for people to look at, not to do
anything else. Nessie would get mad at you if you did!!
Please allows the owners of Urquhart Castle and the property
which surrounds it to exercise their right of ownership
to the fullest extent. Please delay their desires only to
provide opportunity for opponents of development to buy the
castle and its surrounding property. Anything else is theft
and trespass! What comes around goes around!