The island of Skye, off the northwest coast of Scotland, has been named one of the world's destinations most affected by mass tourism due to thousands of extra visitors heading to locations like the Old Man of Storr, the Fairy Pools, the Quiraing mountain range and Neist Point.
The Hebridean Island has been cited alongside Barcelona, Amsterdam, Prague, Venice and Dubrovnik as an example of a much-loved destination being destroyed by vast volumes of visitors flooding in, Inews website reported.
Skye has been highlighted in the wake of its busiest ever summer, which has seen growing demands for improved infrastructure on the island. A new Skye tourism body, formed to help the island cope with the recent surge in visitors has warned there are no magic wand solutions to many of the problems caused as a result of its increasing popularity.
A study of more than 30 different destinations for ecotourism guide Green Global Travel, which describes how mass tourism is destroying the destinations travelers love, highlights Skye as one Scotland's most over-popular destinations.
The website says it has run into trouble in recent years as word has spread about its numerous natural landmarks.
It has highlighted problems caused by motorists spilling out of car parks, locals finding their normal routes to work blocked, a drastic shortage of toilet facilities, and warnings from the police about turning up without booking accommodation.
The website has blamed hit TV show Outlander, whose fans have been encouraged to visit Skye, for the recent boom.
Add new comment
Read our comment policy before posting your viewpoints