The bothy with a luxury loo

By Cara Sulieman

A MOUNTAIN bothy has laid claim to being the poshest in Scotland – after having its very own toilet fitted.

The shelters don’t usually have the luxury of a toilet.

But the Corrour shelter in the Cairgorms was made an exception because the ground there is so hard needy walkers struggle to dig a hole to ‘go’.

Neil Stewart, from the Mountain Bothy Association who were behind the installation, said: “Corrour was an exception.

Museum to open in toilets

By Cara Sulieman
A COASTAL toilet block is getting ready for its rebirth – complete with museum.

The dilapidated public loos have been sitting rotting on the harbour and are now getting a makeover.

But as well as shiny new toilets and solar panels a new tenant will be moving in.

The upper floor of the block has been set-aside as a “community room” and residents have grand ideas for the space

Kinghorn Community Council is keen for Fife Council to open a “seaside museum” above the bogs.

In the current plans, the first floor of the block will include a community room and exhibit area.

Adorned with sliding doors and two balconies overlooking the harbour, the whole block will be transformed into one of Scotland’s poshest public loos.

Marilyn Edwards, secretary of the community council, is excited about the plans, and hopes that the museum becomes a reality.

She said: “The community council would be keen to work with whoever is chosen to develop it and we’re keen to see a social enterprise using the space.

“But a seaside museum would be lovely.”

Ron Edwards, a member of the community council, explained that they had a lot of choices and a long way to go till a definite plan is made.

He said: “The proposal is to lease the upper floor to a group and the council will simply deal with the toilets.

“The current situation is that the community council have a number of interests to look at and will be working along with the council to make sure that whatever is chosen is at the best interest of both the council and local residents.”

There are a number of possible plans for the space above the toilets, with local community groups keen to open up museums, art galleries and cafes.

Fife Council will let the space out, but have earmarked it for use by the community, preferring if it went to a local group rather than a business.

But Fife Council are yet to decide on which one is best, and say they will hold off on awarding the lease until the work is done.

Thomson and Simpson Architects are the firm tasked with updating the drab building, and they have designed a stylish and usable facility.

At the end of last year the beach won a Keep Scotland Beautiful Seaside Award, recognising the clean water and good environment around the bay.

With residents working with the council to clean up the area and maintain the good work, the toilet refit will make it more suitable for visitors and locals alike.

Highlands grab Loo of the Year Award

By Cara Sulieman
HIGHLANDERS are spending a penny in the UK’s best public toilets.

Highland Council is flushed with success after winning the UK Trophy for the best public toilets in the Loo of the Year Awards 2008.

The council sent all other competition down the pan when they scooped the award at a ceremony in Birmingham.

An undercover inspector from the awards visited each of the nominated toilets throughout the year and was looking at a range of criteria.

The signage, décor, maintenance, cleanliness, fixtures and fittings and overall management and customer care were all carefully judged by the inspector.

Such thorough criteria means that visitors to some of the most remote toilets in Britain can be assured that it will not only be safe to go, but pleasant as well.

Councillor Brian Murphy went to Birmigham to collect the award on behalf of the council.

He said: “This year, as well as becoming national category winners, we have improved the overall rating of all our toilets and so everyone involved should feel extremely proud.”

There were other accolades for the toilets of Scotland with a win by Asda in Bearsden for Age Friendly toilet of the year.

The Burbank Centre in Hamilton makes a visit to the toilet a family affair and walked away with the Family Friendly award.

East Lothian Council also did well in the toilet roll of honour, gathering a wide range of loo awards – so much so that a Standard of Excellence was given to the council.

The toilet cleaners of East Lothian are the best in Scotland after winning the In-House Cleaning Team Award for their effort across all facilities in the council area.

And St Gabriel’s Nursery in Prestonpans, where children can spend a penny in style, won Scottish nursery loo of the year.

Marion Fairgrieve has worked as a cleaner in the nursery for nearly 30 years and is proud of their recent success.

She said: “We just like to try and keep a good standard. We know we have had awards in the past and we want to keep that going. We get comments from staff and parents all the time. You go in night after night and you are doing the same thing all the time so when you get these comments it makes it all worth-while.”