A new public convenience has opened in Golspie, providing local residents and visitors alike with modern surroundings.

The Highland Council has invested £286,000 in the facility on the Main Street that includes male, female, disabled toilet units and an attendant's store.

Additionally there is a separate 24 hour toilet unit, accessible using a swipe card which can be obtained from the local Council Service Point.

Nappy changing facilities have been provided within the female toilets.

The toilet block was designed by the Council's Housing and Property Service and built over 23 weeks by contracting firm M.M Miller Ltd Inverness.

The three Highland Councillors for East Sutherland and Edderton - Ian Ross, Jim MacGillivray and Deirde Mackay - visited the new facility en route to a recent Ward Business Meeting and are delighted with the new focal point in the village.


Councillor Ross said: "This is an attractive building which greatly improves this very important facility at the hub of the village and a strategic stopping off point for travellers on the A9.. I am sure it will be welcomed by the community and visitors to Golspie."

Golspie is the latest community in the Highlands to benefit from a commitment by the Council to upgrade public conveniences.

The Council's Transport Environment and Community Services is currently progressing the refurbishment/replacement of further four facilities over the next four years, namely Fort Augustus, Thurso, Invergordon and Ullapool, with Fort Augustus due to start in 2009/10.

Traditional external materials of the building were specified to harmonise with the surrounding built environment. The windowless building is lit from concentric roof-lights and its central cylindrical core, constructed of glass blocks, provides restricted visual awareness from within the Attendant's Store to aid building security.

Internally, the raking conical ceiling affords a feeling of spatial awareness and is complemented by an abundance of natural daylight.

The internal finishes are of high quality washroom type, which are aesthetically pleasing and durable.

Sanitary fittings are activated by infra red sensors and have an integral water management system which reduces water usage.

Ultraviolet sanitisers have been installed to reduce air-borne bacteria together with periodic aromatic sensors to give a clean and pleasant ambience.

(GK/JM)