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Villagers want brighter outlook Villagers want brighter outlook
(about 23 hours later)
A small Highland community has attacked the BBC over "inaccurate" weather forecasts, which it says is putting off tourists and threatening livelihoods.A small Highland community has attacked the BBC over "inaccurate" weather forecasts, which it says is putting off tourists and threatening livelihoods.
Villagers claim Carrbridge, which is situated in the Cairngorms National Park near Aviemore and protected by mountains, has its own weather system.Villagers claim Carrbridge, which is situated in the Cairngorms National Park near Aviemore and protected by mountains, has its own weather system.
They argue the BBC's localised weather service overlooks the area's micro-climate and instead defers to Aviemore.They argue the BBC's localised weather service overlooks the area's micro-climate and instead defers to Aviemore.
The BBC said it was confident it was using the best source of forecast data.The BBC said it was confident it was using the best source of forecast data.
Danny Fullerton, who runs the Landmark forest adventure park, raised the matter with the BBC.Danny Fullerton, who runs the Landmark forest adventure park, raised the matter with the BBC.
"If you look at the five-day forecast, it can change every day - even on the day it can change ," he said."If you look at the five-day forecast, it can change every day - even on the day it can change ," he said.
"You'd be as well waiting to the actual day and sticking your head out the window.""You'd be as well waiting to the actual day and sticking your head out the window."
Even today it's forecast as rain, and yes it's cloudy but there's been really beautiful spells Andrew KirkLocal businessmanEven today it's forecast as rain, and yes it's cloudy but there's been really beautiful spells Andrew KirkLocal businessman
It is not just the accuracy that residents are unhappy with, they also want to see a change in terminology.It is not just the accuracy that residents are unhappy with, they also want to see a change in terminology.
Mr Fullerton said: "Quite often the terminology used is 'showers', which to me implies wet and rain, when in actual case it is 'mainly dry'.Mr Fullerton said: "Quite often the terminology used is 'showers', which to me implies wet and rain, when in actual case it is 'mainly dry'.
"It may not seem much, but that can mean visitors decide to go elsewhere.""It may not seem much, but that can mean visitors decide to go elsewhere."
Mr Fullerton is backed by Carrbridge's business community.Mr Fullerton is backed by Carrbridge's business community.
Andrew Kirk, chairman of the local business association, who runs Cairns Hotel, described it as the BBC's "glass half empty" approach.Andrew Kirk, chairman of the local business association, who runs Cairns Hotel, described it as the BBC's "glass half empty" approach.
"It's infuriating," he said. "Even today it's forecast as rain, and yes it's cloudy but there's been really beautiful spells."It's infuriating," he said. "Even today it's forecast as rain, and yes it's cloudy but there's been really beautiful spells.
"Tourists are turning to the web more, using laptops and mobiles, and they're being put off by the weather forecast."Tourists are turning to the web more, using laptops and mobiles, and they're being put off by the weather forecast.
"Weather can be different between Carrbridge and Aviemore which is only seven miles away."Weather can be different between Carrbridge and Aviemore which is only seven miles away.
"There are different conditions in both places, yet the BBC gives the impression of giving a localised forecast, when it's actually deferring to Aviemore weather." "There are different conditions in both places, yet the BBC gives the impression of giving a localised forecast, when it's actually referring to Aviemore weather."
Audience feedbackAudience feedback
Residents said tourism was the lifeblood of Carrbridge - a village of about 250 homes.Residents said tourism was the lifeblood of Carrbridge - a village of about 250 homes.
People come for the scenery, wildlife, outdoor activities and the many festivals held throughout the year, including the annual competition to find the world's best porridge maker.People come for the scenery, wildlife, outdoor activities and the many festivals held throughout the year, including the annual competition to find the world's best porridge maker.
The BBC said in a statement: "Our aim at BBC Weather is to present the forecast as clearly as possible and to increase the speed and frequency with which we can update it.The BBC said in a statement: "Our aim at BBC Weather is to present the forecast as clearly as possible and to increase the speed and frequency with which we can update it.
"We are confident we are using the best source of forecast data, which we obtain from the Met Office."We are confident we are using the best source of forecast data, which we obtain from the Met Office.
"However, the nature of our climate is such there are times when the weather behaves in unpredictable ways."However, the nature of our climate is such there are times when the weather behaves in unpredictable ways.
"Our terminology aims to be as clear as possible and we constantly review it following our audience comments and feedback.""Our terminology aims to be as clear as possible and we constantly review it following our audience comments and feedback."