NC500: Iconic Highland Applecross Inn takes to prayer and poetry asking people to reconsider the way in which they treat the fragile landscape and infrastructure around the North Coast 500
A popular Highland hostelry has taken to poetry to get its message out.
The busy Applecross Inn thanked customers, and the Ross-shire Journal, for getting the message out when it comes to social distancing and table bookings, but wanted to paint a picture of the current situation in the hospitality industry.
After posting its message more than 2500 people interacted with the message, with 611 people sharing the post.
Mark Carrington of the Applecross Inn penned "Please help, please listen, we're at a loss."
The full poem reads:
Please help, please listen, we’re at a loss
We pray for the future of our Applecross
The rumours we don’t want you, are simply not true
Our businesses thrive, through the majority of you
We’re not anti NC500, that’s simply not fair
We just want to protect our way of life, our nature and our machair
Campfires, barbeques, or doing a poo
Please not on our beaches, please use a loo
Your fires leave scars, burns and tattoos
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For years to remind us of your NC5 cruise
Don’t cut down our fence posts, our bushes or trees
Please don’t leave your rubbish, we beg on our knees
We don’t blame you at all, why wouldn’t you want to see
Our sunsets, our views, our rich history
When we raise these points, please don’t take offence
We’ll be happy if these problems are now in past tense
We know it’s not YOU. It’s him, or it’s her
It’s not everybody, just those that don’t care
We want infrastructure, we want better roads
We want to keep our pine martens, our frogs and our toads
While we wait for these things, it’s down to me and you
Our home is your playground, we know you’re here too
So welcome to paradise, our Applecross Bay
We’re so glad you’re here, behaving the right way.
Commenting on the poem, B&B owner Marion Clark said: "As a resident of Applecross and owner of Applecross B&B I'd like to say a massive thanks to our wonderful visitors this year.
"You've kept our business going and lots of others in the area.
"We have enjoyed listening to how much you have enjoyed your visit and how lovely the locals have been.
"The majority have been doing the NC500 and we look forward to welcoming more of you in the future whatever your route is.
"Respect of course and most of all enjoy."
Sarah Wilkinson, a visitor to the area, said: "Beautifully put. We are equally astonished in beautiful Yorkshire about the litter and damage left behind by the mindless minority. Good luck to you all. We look forward to visiting someday and will love and respect your countryside."
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