Widow calls for ban on tourist cars parking in cemetery car park on Isle of Harris, Stornoway

A widow is calling on councillors to take action against tourists parking motorhomes and cars in a cemetery car park on the Isle of Harris.

Lynne MacKay has launched a petition to stop the parking of tourist vehicles in spaces reserved for mourners at Luskentyre Cemetery.

Ms MacKay says that due to the structure of the gates, if vehicles are parked against them the cemetery is “impossible to enter”.

The 50-year-old says the issue is stopping her visiting the grave of her late husband Calum McKay, who passed away in April aged 48 following a battle with oesophagus cancer.

She told STV News: “Its damaging because the likes of myself and other people have loved ones in the cemetery, yet cannot go pay our respects and visit due to selfish people in the car park.

“They park overnight, and make lots of noise with radios, TVs and barbeques.

“Cemeterys are there to be respected and are for peace, not for things like that.

“My husband passed away in April but this has been going on for ages, ever since the island’s been getting busier and busier with tourists.

“The local council have put out traffic cones as well to mark out these parking spaces but at times witnessed by others, these have been moved by the disrespectful occupants of these motorhomes and cars in order for them to get parked.

“Its upsetting when you cant get into the cemetery car park. It would be nice to go and sit at Calum’s grave, especially on days with nice weather.”

Lynne is hoping the local council, Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, take action and ensure that only those visiting the cemetery can make use of the car park.

She added: “I would like them (the Western Isles Council) to act upon it.

“It’s totally disrespectful and irresponsible of the council in Stornoway.

“All I’m asking is that something needs to be done now as each year Harris only gets busier, and this problem is only going to get worse.

“They wouldn’t like it if they had loved ones that they wanted to visit but couldn’t.”

You can sign the petition here.

The Western Isles Council said: ‘We are aware of issues surrounding parking at cemeteries and would ask that people respect these areas, follow the signage and have regard for the feelings of others.’