Scotland’s deepest pothole RUINED my business – it’s so big I can stand in it

A TOURIST boss bus driver has been forced to axe his service because of WAIST-DEEP potholes.

Stuart Ross, 54, says he’s had to hook his coach service shuttling visitors around attractions in stunning Cape Wrath on the NC500 route in the Highlands because the ruts in the road are so giant you can step down into them.

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The Ministry of Defence has a bombing range surrounding the U70 road at the most north-westerly tip of the country in Sutherland — with claims the craters are so deep it looks like the carriageway has been battered by rockets.

Mr Ross wants cash claiming he has had to cancel his lucrative early summer bookings.

He said: “I have ploughed a lot of money into my business and now I cannot operate.

“There are some potholes that are waist deep.

“You just could not drive with passengers over several sections of that road.

“Even the MoD vehicles are struggling — one of them burst two tires.

“We were promised by the council that the road would get fixed but it hasn’t been and now I’ve had to cancel all my bookings to at least the end of June.

“It’s horrendous.”

Mr Ross, from nearby Durness, runs Cape Wrath Mini Bus and took over the route two years ago after sinking more than £60,000 into the firm which carries 5,000 passengers in £15 trips over the season.

He says he flagged the massive holes in February after storms ravaged the carriageway, which can only be accessed by an 11-mile hike or boat ride.

The businessman’s two 16-seater coaches have been pulled until repairs are carried out and says others, including the UK’s smallest ferry from Kyle of Durness and a cafe run from the area’s lighthouse have also been impacted.

Highland councillor Hugh Morrison owns a hotel and three other tourism firms in the region says it could take weeks for repairs on the road which he says was last tarred 50 years ago.

He said: “Some of these potholes must be among the worst and deepest in the country.

“It looks like the MoD missed their bombing target, it’s that bad.”
Highland Council have been asked for comment.