Coronavirus (COVID-19)

In the time since the lockdown restrictions at the start of July, it has been great to see so many of our regular visitors return and to also see so many new visitors arrive and fall in love with the Peninsulas. Also, we are grateful to all visitors and businesses who have followed our Coronavirus: Visitor Charter and played their part in protecting one another and mitigating the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

On Monday 2 November Scotland entered a new five-level system to determine regional guidance and restrictions. The West Highland Peninsulas are within the Highland region and therefore placed at Level 1. This will mean slightly less restrictions locally, but the associated travel restrictions will mean, for the time being, we can only welcome visitors from Level 0, 1 and 2. This applies to day trips as well as longer visits.

The situation with COVID-19 is continually changing and we would ask all our visitors to plan ahead, check guidance from local businesses and read the latest official Scottish Government, NHS Scotland and Visit Scotland guidelines relating to COVID-19. If you have already booked and now find yourself at odds with the travel restrictions, please contact your accommodation provider. If you are able to visit there is some further guidance below:

HOTELS AND B&Bs: some of these remain open and are subject to the current socialising and hospitality rules which means only one household (or 'extended household') can stay in each room.

SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION: some of these remain open and are subject to current socialising rules which, as above, means that people from more than one household are not permitted to share accommodation.

SHOPPING: a real lifeline for us throughout lockdown, all our village shops are open and well stocked but with a few changes in place:

• Please always remember your face-mask, these are mandatory. For exemptions please see Scottish Government guidance.
• There may be hand sanitiser to use on entering.
• Many of our shops are small and therefore may need to restrict the number of customers at any one time to allow for 2m physical distancing – please check before entering.
• Card payments or contactless payments are preferred.
• Home delivery may be available from some.

DRINKING AND EATING OUT: several of our cafes, pubs and restaurants are open and under the current guidelines will close at 10.30pm. Customers should wear a face covering while entering, exiting and moving around a premise, but this can be removed once seated at a table. As with shops, please observe all physical distancing measures that are in place and note that card or contactless payments are preferred. Please also note that some restaurants require you to book ahead. Track and Trace contact details will also be asked for.

ORGANISED ACTIVITIES: you can still book your household onto organised activities - outdoor activities, tours, coaches - alongside other unconnected households, as these operators are still allowed to take larger numbers where capacity allows. You should keep to your own household within the activity, follow 2 m physical distancing (1 m for organised day boat trips) and wear your mask on coaches, tours and boat trips.

PUBLIC TOILETS: not all public toilets (and showers) and Chemical Toilet disposal points are open this year so please plan ahead!

FERRIES: the Corran Ferry is running to its normal timetable and has guidance in place to support social distancing and hygiene measures. Caledonian MacBrayne ferries to Mull are operating at reduced capacity to allow social distancing measures. Please check out the CalMac website for full details.

TENTS, MOTOR HOMES & WILD CAMPING: the West Highland Peninsulas is a popular place for camping and camper vans and some useful guidance has been put in place by Highland Council.

OUT & ABOUT: the beautiful and unspoilt landscapes, the wildlife, the dark skies, the coast and waters, the people and communities and the crofting way of life are many of the things that we all treasure about the West Highland Peninsulas. Please help us to keep it a special place to live and visit by always following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

DOWNLOAD THE CONTACT TRACING APP: all residents and visitors should download the Protect Scotland app for free from the Apple and Google stores. The app will alert you if you have been in close contact with another app user who has tested positive for coronavirus. It supports contact tracing and works through Bluetooth anonymously, protecting your privacy.

DEVELOPING SYMPTOMS: if you develop Covid-19 symptoms while on holiday in Scotland, please self-isolate in your accommodation and follow the advice from the Scottish Government.