Remote Highland petrol stations 'key to tourism'

Help with infrastructure was said to be needed as much as cheaper fuel

The survival of petrol stations in remote areas is key to the tourism industry in the Highlands and Islands, a local authority has said.

Highland Council has raised the issue in a wider paper on tourism put together by Euromontana, a body promoting mountainous areas of Europe.

Isobel MacCallum, a Highland councillor, said stations in other countries got government support.

She said help with buying new fuel tanks was as important as cheaper fuel.

Euromontana and Highland Council are jointly hosting a conference on sustainable tourism in mountainous regions.

The paper produced by Euromontana will be presented to the European Commission.

Ms MacCallum, vice chairwoman of Highland Council's planning, environment and development committee, said stations in other countries got direct support from government.

She said there was an effort to protect stations in strategic locations in the Highlands, but added that more support would be welcome.