The Kintyre Forum

Villagers’ fear over ‘lost Tarbert’

With its setting on the shores of Loch Fyne, it is one of the prettiest villages in Scotland. But trade in Tarbert, Argyll, is suffering because satellite navigation systems (satnav) have put it off the map.

Instead, potential customers heading for the ferry terminal to Islay are being steered around the village.

Satnav users are told to use the B8024 Glenralloch road, a single-track route which bypasses the Tarbert stretch of the A83.
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Google Maps don't even list Tarbert, wrongly stating that a place called Carse is where the village should be.

Ian MacIntyre, chairman of Mid Argyll Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are extremely concerned at the inaccuracies of some of these systems, especially as we are coming into the tourist season. This is a concern for traders but also for people living on that Glenralloch road. It is a single track road and never designed to bypass Tarbert.

"It used to be a nice quiet road, with virtually no traffic, used for walking and recreation, but satnav systems have been picking it out as the shortest route to the ferry. Cars are speeding and one lady said she counted 40 cars in an hour the other day."

Graham Whitefield, of Argyll and Bute Council, said: " The council does not have any control over the content of Google Maps and encourages residents to use the Local View mapping system on the council website. This uses maps from Ordnance Survey, which correctly identify Tarbert."

The main supplier for Google Maps is Tele Atlas, a firm owned by satnav firm Tom Tom. Last night, they promised to investigate the complaints.

Tarbert put on the map after outcry

Moira Kerr

THE picturesque village of Tarbert is to be put back on the tourist map after a public outcry about its absence from computerised satellite navigation maps.

The West Highland village is not listed on Google maps, which wrongly places a town called Carse in Tarbert's location at the head of Loch Fyne.

Furious business owners complained after witnessing thousands of potential customers, who pass through the picturesque harbour on their way to or from the busy ferry terminal to Islay, being diverted away from the village.
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Unsuspecting drivers who rely on satellite navigation are being directed on to the B8024 Glenralloch road, a torturous single-track route which bypasses the mile-long Tarbert stretch of the main A83.

Tele Atlas, owned by satnav company Tom Tom and the main digital mapping supplier for many other satnav companies and Google maps, promised to investigate the matter.

Tele Atlas spokeswoman Sandra Van Hauwaert said: "We have examined the situation in our database and some changes have been made. Tarbert is now captured on its correct location and should be implemented for our next release in July.

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience this caused but I'm glad to be able to tell you the map issues have been solved."

Ian MacIntyre, chairman of Mid Argyll Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are delighted to hear they have reacted quickly to our concerns."

Graham Whitefield, of Argyll and Bute Council, said: " The council does not have any control over the content of Google Maps and encourages residents to use the Local View mapping system on the council website. This uses maps from Ordnance Survey, which correctly identify Tarbert."