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The Lochboisdale tourist office will not re-open said operator, Visit Scotland.

The national tourism organisation for Scotland claimed it could not find any suitable personnel to man the facility.

It appears that the closure may be permanent as Visit Scotland did not indicate it had plans to re-advertise for staff.

 

The body  is in discussions regarding the "long term solution of information provision in the area."

It said it was "regrettable" it was unable to recruit personnel and hoped South Uist tourism businesses would step in and provide visitors tourists with local information on key topics.  

Until this week, Visit Scotland encouraged travellers to make the information centre on the pierhead their first port of call on arrival in South Uist.

The facility is located alongside the new marina and water front development, and is just up the road from a designated port of entry.

Tourists disembarking from the new Mallaig - South Uist summer ferry service, which docks just metres away, will be bewildered to find the doors locked.

VisitScotland said it decided on closure after the departure of a member of staff who had been in the role for 10 years.

Despite the high rate of unemployment in the area - and no likely shortage of competent applicants - the organisation claims it made a number of attempts to find staff.

It is understood only limited advertising for vacancies was carried out.

Tourism creates 900 jobs and contributes over £43 million to the Western Isles' economy.

 

Closure announcement for tourist information office  

 

3 June 2016  

Lochboisdale tourist office