THE army should be deployed on the Border to stop people who flout lockdown restrictions travelling from England to Scotland, a Highland councillor has said.
The call comes amid increasing concerns among politicians that Boris Johnson’s decision to relax lockdown rules in England will spark an influx of people coming to the Highlands.
Roddy McCuish, independent councillor for Oban South and the Isles and depute provost of Argyll and Bute, said he had noticed an upsurge of non-local people in the area.
He told the Sunday Post: “Now the Prime Minister has relaxed the lockdown in England it is obvious to me that the situation is going to get worse. If it’s going to get worse in Oban and the west, then it’ll be the same across the Highlands and Islands.
“I’d like to see stricter controls to stop people getting here. Until we, Scotland and England, are doing the same thing I would like to see some sort of border control.
“I personally would put the army on the border and get them to stop people.”
READ MORE: SNP MP calls for Border to be policed if English lockdown is eased
His call comes after Ian Blackford was forced to tell people to “stay away” from the Highlands following author Neil Gaiman’s admission that he travelled 12,000 miles from New Zealand to his holiday home on Skye during lockdown.
Highland councillor Liz MacDonald, from Nairn, said: “Second home owners are sneaking in. I’ve heard all sorts of stories. Police are doing their best and taking registration numbers but they’re even arriving by train.”
The UK Government last week ditched the “stay home” message in favour of “stay alert” as it eased restrictions on outdoor exercise and travel. Official guidance states that people in England can travel long distances to see their family and friends, as long as they respect social distancing rules. However, it clarifies that they should not be making trips to other parts of the UK.
READ MORE: Ian Blackford says 'stay away' after author's 12,000-mile trip to Skye
The devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland rejected the move and have maintained stricter lockdown rules.
The Scottish Government commented: “Our message remains the same: stay home, protect the NHS and save lives. People must avoid travelling unless it is essential, and must not travel to second homes.”
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