Tourism plea over disease outbreak

The owners of Ben Nevis say it is a "special case"

The owners of some of Scotland's prime wilderness areas are considering whether or not to relax movement restrictions put in place as a result of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

The disease is affecting Scotland's tourism industry due to the number of movement restrictions in areas which are usually popular with climbers and walkers.

But the Scottish Executive has confirmed it is embarking on a risk assessment programme to examine the situation in country areas.

Now the owners of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, are considering lifting the disease restrictions which denies access to walkers and climbers.

Scotland's tourism industry is suffering

Nigel Hawkins, of the John Muir Trust, says the move is being assessed because the Ben is a special case.

He told BBC Radio Scotland the situation was "very much under constant review".

Mr Hawkins said: "A lot of new guidance came out last week from the Scottish Executive rural affairs department which raised the possibility of carrying out risk assessment, to look at the issue of public access.

"The key factor here of course is the risk of contact with livestock and with wildlife so they recommended looking at each case on its own merits".

Risk assessment

He said it may be possible to travel to the Ben without coming into contact with livestock.

Mr Hawkins said access to the north of the mountain was being assessed: "It is the north side which is of special interest, particularly to climbers at this time of year."

He said: "But it is a very thorough risk assessment to ensure we are not spreading the risk of foot-and-mouth disease".

Mr Hawkins said that when the initial outbreak occurred it was right to impose movement restrictions to ensure the disease did not spread to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

But he said areas which are not at risk should have movement restrictions relaxed.

He said this would be of benefit to the tourist industry and that the executive had intimated such moves could be undertaken.

Tourist operators in Wester Ross are considering similar moves because there are fears the number of cancellations could see businesses going bust.