Green light for rival plans

PLANNERS are recommending that two rival multi-million pound plans for tourism developments on Loch Ness can both go ahead.

The proposals will go head-to-head at a special meeting of Highland Council on Monday. Papers released yesterday show the planning committee will be asked to approve both projects.

Jacobite Cruises, which carries 100,000 visitors on the loch each year, is behind 2.3 million proposals to build a new harbour, car park, visitor centre and cafe on the A82 road at Brackla, nine miles south-west of Inverness.

But the harbour is subject to a 2m upgrade plan by the Bremner family, owners of the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre in Drumnadrochit. This would include jetties and moorings.

The local Glen Urquhart Community Council is objecting to both proposals, due to concerns over access and impact.