Population:
The number of patients registered with the local GP is 224, but the number of people potentially requiring medical
attention is significantly greater.
Applecross is a favourite holiday destination for people looking for a peaceful, island-like atmosphere, and when visitor
numbers are added to those of the permanent population, a different picture begins to emerge.
It is difficult to put a definitive figure on the number of people, including visitors, in Applecross at any given time;
however by interviewing the major tourism businesses in the area and analysing the results, a reasonable estimate can be
made.
Currently almost 37% of housing stock in Applecross consists of holiday or second homes. Some are run as businesses catering
to the self-catering holiday market. Others are owned by individuals who visit several times a year. A conservative estimate
of numbers would suggest around 80 people could be staying in self-catering accommodation on any given day during the holiday
season which starts in April and ends in early November.
There are 10 people providing bed and breakfast accommodation with a total of 26 bed spaces per night.
The Applecross campsite can accommodate up to 168 people in a mix of tents, caravans and other accommodation. It is
regularly full during the summer months.
The Venture Trust, an outdoor centre based at Hartfield, accommodates 40 people at any given time year round.
The Applecross Inn has a total of 13 bed spaces (currently full for 9 months of the year and with around 50% occupancy for
the rest of the year).
This gives a total of around 551 people staying in Applecross on any given day during the summer months.
This of course only shows the numbers who are staying in Applecross. When these are added to the number of day visitors
passing through Applecross it is evident that, during the holiday period, a much greater number of people are present than
resident numbers would suggest.
The Applecross Inn serves around 300 meals in a day during the main visitor season. During special events such as Sports Day
or the Seafood Festival this goes up to 400. (An estimated 10% of meals are served to locals and around 45% to holiday home
residents. This gives an estimate of around 135 day visitors eating at the hotel during this time, going up to 180 at peak
times).
The Applecross Walled Garden Restaurant currently serves 20 meals in an afternoon and they are expanding this service.
The Campsite café daily serves an estimated 150 meals to day visitors. (This does not include meals served to those staying
on the campsite).
From the numbers quoted, it is obvious that the Applecross community of just 224 people is, for the summer months, a bustling
area of nearly 900 people.
Area Covered
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