Islander Suki McGregor has answered the call of the Cumbrae community to become the new toilet cleaner and is certainly brushing up when it comes to making the loos presentable to tourists.
Suki, who is a community councillor, spotted an advert in the Largs and Millport News to be a seasonal toilet cleaner contractor for Cumbrae Community Development Company, and is certainly providing some colour and splendour to the six island public conveniences.
Producing live Facebook videos which are educational, informative, and funny - called the island Bog Vlog - Suki is adding colour and presentation to the toilets after they were recently taken over by the community.
Suki said: “I was working for Hopscotch theatre company for 23 years. It was emotional leaving them and invested a great deal of time over the years into building up the company. There was an adver for a self-employed contractor to provide cleaning services on the island toilets, and I thought it would the ideal opportunity - it is lovely to be be out in the fresh air and working full-time in paradise.”
“I have added a number of quirky touches such as flowers in the women’s toilets, and hand cream in the gents. I spotted a slogan in the Angus public toilets which states ‘the toilets are a window on our community’, and I think by adding all these improvements, it shows that people care, and it is a positive reflection on the community.”
And the Cumbrae Cludgie Cleaner has found local people and businesses have been most helpful in donating air fresheners, planters and bins.
The blog vlogs have also helped to promote the island, including island landmarks such as the location of the Standing Stones, and the Cumbrae Community Garden,
There are six public toilets on the island - the ‘bomb shelter’ toilets in the Garrison grounds, Crocodile Rock, Pierhead, West Bay, Fintry Bay and ferry slip.
Future plans include a community painting project at the Crocodile Rock toilets, and even ‘Cumbrae Loo Tours’ explaining the background of some of the conveniences such as a real life bomb shelter during the war.
Suki said: “It is great to promote the island and one vlog even received 2000 views.”