Lochbroom Community Council Chairman Topher Dawson said the trowels would be an “emergency, last resort” for people who cannot access toilets.

He said some people may be unaware that public toilets were “thin on the ground” before travelling and that they should be offered help.

The council has purchased 90 plastic garden trowels.

Mr Dawson said: “We have about 100 lay-bys in our area but 90 trowels were all that were available to buy.”