Plockton reputation ‘damaged by school pupils’

IT IS known as the idyllic Highland village to which tourists make a beeline and where the BBC drama Hamish Macbeth was set.

However, the reputation of the west coast settlement has been bismirched by loitering and litter-dropping school pupils at its railway station, which have triggered a deluge of complaints to community leaders.

The station is on the Inverness-Kyle of Lochalsh line that Michael Palin has hailed as one of the world’s greatest railway journeys.

Anti-social

Now British Transport Police (BTP) have moved to stamp out the anti-social behaviour by enlisting youngsters from Plockton High School, which adjoins the station, to help with its upkeep by looking after its plants and picking up litter.

In a ceremony today, a plaque was unveiled by Highlands MSP Jean Urquhart to mark the station being “adopted” by a committee of pupils.

BTP Constable Matt O’Neill said: “Following complaints of low-level anti-social behaviour at the station by pupils from the neighbouring high school, it was felt the best way to encourage a feeling of responsibility and ownership was by bringing together a collaborative committee of those affected.

“As a result, incidents have been reduced considerably and the committee, which is made up entirely of pupils, has now gone one step further and adopted the ScotRail station.

“They now play a part in the station’s upkeep such as maintaining poster boards, planters and picking up litter.”

Complaints

Plockton and District Community Council chair Charlie MacCrae said: “We welcome this project. It has already stopped the many complaints we received regarding the state of the station.”

Plockton High School rector Duncan Ferguson said: “We are delighted to have worked successfully with the local community, ScotRail, BTP and other agencies to improve the appearance of Plockton Railway Station.

“It is an iconic station on one of Scotland’s outstandingly scenic lines and we are very proud to have our school located as a neighbour to this facility.

“It has been rewarding educationally and great for our youngsters’ personal development to have been given responsibility for this initiative.

“We are committed to working in partnership with Plockton villagers to ensure the station remains an attractive and litter-free amenity.”

Alasdair Christie, chairman of Highland Council’s adult and children’s services committee, said: “I commend the pupils at Plockton High School for their great efforts and achievements.”

John Yellowlees, ScotRail’s external relations manager, said: “We welcome the students’ adoption of Plockton station. It is a fine example of how our Adopt A Station project is helping put stations at the heart of communities across Scotland.”