YOUR VIEWS: Highland Council’s motorhomes parking plan is win-win
In a bold move that's sent ripples through the Highlands' tourism industry, Highland Council has rolled out a £40 weekly pass for motorhome and campervan users.
This scheme, aimed at promoting sustainable tourism year-round, has some campsite owners up in arms – but are they simply missing the bigger picture?
The Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme, a first of its kind in the UK, offers travellers access to essential services like public toilets and wastewater facilities, along with overnight parking in designated areas.
It's a solution that's been long overdue, addressing the growing pains of the region's booming motorhome tourism and providing options when many traditional campsites close for the winter months.
Indeed, it's worth noting that across the UK, a significant number of campsites shut their gates during the off-season, leaving motorhome enthusiasts with limited options.
This new scheme fills a crucial gap, allowing for year-round tourism in a region known for its breathtaking beauty in every season.
But not everyone's toasting to this innovation.
Some campsite owners, who've long enjoyed a monopoly on motorhome accommodation during their operating months, are apparently feeling the heat. They claim the scheme undercuts their business model and threatens their very existence. For years, campsite owners have been charging upwards of £40 a night for what essentially amounts to a patch of grass and a shared shower block, and only during peak seasons.
Meanwhile, local communities have borne the brunt of informal parking and inadequate waste management facilities year-round.
It seems the council has finally called time on this unsustainable status quo. The scheme's proponents argue that it's not about competition, but complementation – a model that has worked successfully across Europe for years.
In countries like France, Germany, and Italy, campsites and aires (designated motorhome stopping places) coexist harmoniously, catering to different needs and preferences of travellers.
This new Scottish scheme aims to replicate this successful model, providing options for those quick overnight stays while still allowing traditional campsites to offer their full-service experience.
Moreover, the initiative addresses a genuine need for proper facilities to accommodate the increasing number of motorhomes visiting the Highlands, regardless of the season.
It's a win-win situation for everyone – except, apparently, for those who've been riding this ever growing cash-cow without adapting to changing market demands and year-round tourism trends.
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The council's approach is refreshingly pragmatic.
By providing designated areas for motorhomes, they're tackling the issue of informal parking head-on.
They're also promoting sustainable tourism by encouraging ‘conscious travellers’ to contribute directly to local services and environmental protections, even in the quieter winter months when many businesses traditionally struggle.
Now, let's be honest: the scheme isn't perfect. Like any new initiative, it will take time to bed in and iron out the kinks.
Feedback from motorhome users will be crucial in shaping the future of this programme.
The Highland Council will need to commit to refining the scheme based on real-world experiences, and that’s where the continued support of motorhome owners comes into play.
With the ability to vote with their wheels, travellers can help ensure the scheme remains dynamic and effective.
If they find the facilities lacking or the experience less than satisfactory, they won’t hesitate to express dissatisfaction or seek alternatives.
This kind of feedback loop is essential for the evolution of the scheme, allowing it to adapt to the needs of both visitors and local communities.
So, to the campsite owners lamenting this new scheme: isn't it time to park your complaints and start your engines?
The tourism landscape is changing, and those who have failed to adapt over the last nine years of NC500 touring risk being left in the dust.
Instead of resisting progress, why not use this as an opportunity to innovate and improve your own offerings?
Perhaps consider extending your operating seasons or providing unique experiences that elevate your offer above the council's scheme.
After all, competition is the mother of innovation. And in the grand scheme of things, a little healthy competition might just be what the doctor ordered for Highland tourism.
It's high time these campsite owners stopped resting on their laurels and started catering to their paying customers.
In the end, this scheme isn't about putting anyone out of business – it's about creating a more sustainable, enjoyable, and accessible Highland experience for all, 365 days a year.
And that's something I’m sure we can all rally behind.
Jamie Spratt
Edinburgh.
* * *
Still time to object to Ryvoan mast bid
Re your story about a mast at Ryvoan (25 July).
The application for a mast in Torridon - Coire Mhic Nobuil got 100 objections before it was withdrawn. As of 29 July, there are (only) 34 objections to the mast planned for Ryvoan bothy, but there is still time for us to get the gold and show how much we care about about the Cairngorms. Register at eplanningcnpa.co.uk and search for 2024/0179/DET. Deadline is 12 August.
David Craig
Edinburgh.
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What about Spey haul by anglers?
Charlie Whelan (Whelan’s World) says that Moray Council should be reminded that salmon are an endangered species before they approve any green energy schemes that might impact the River Spey.
Is that the same endangered salmon of which 109 were killed last year in the name of sport after being caught by anglers fishing the same river.
Dr Martin Jaffa
London.
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Sharing the joy of Olympics in Paris
That was truly a magnificent opening ceremony to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
It was innovative, completely different, colourful and technically brilliant and celebrated the genius of French culture.
Above all, within such a splendid spectacle, the smiles and laughter of world youth coming together in the fellowship of sporting competition, was a delight and joy to behold.
In spite of the endless rain, the words, music and artistry of the performers overcame all and surely sent a message of hope and peace to a troubled world.
Grant Frazer
Newtonmore.
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Hit them where it hurts them most
Re Charlie Whelan’s column on River Spey water extractions.
The only way to deal with bodies like Speyside distillers is to threaten their profits. The threat of a petition to ban the purchase of Speyside whisky should they support any scheme that harms the environment would really make them take notice of the feeling against the actions they are supporting.
As a drinker of Speyside whisky I would support such a petition were it required. There is nothing wrong with other malt whisky.
David Murray
Email address supplied.
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A very expensive birthday present
Ihave read the Strathy article online about the couple left 'furious' after receiving £100 fine at an Inverness car park – despite only being there for 12 minutes
This has just happened to my wife also. She visited the toy shop to buy a birthday present.
A £60 fine makes this a very expensive birthday present.
She did stay for over an hour but she was under the impression that it was parking for the Rose Street Retail Park.
She did make several purchases so parking should be free as with places like Morrisons.
The shops should take some responsibility for this as it appears to be parking for their shops.
I can only advise people not to visit this retail park and perhaps avoid shopping in Inverness altogether.
There are none of these issues shopping online which is why our city centres are dying.
These issues should also be addressed by the local council who need to ensure clear signage and affordable parking.
Steven Mann
Dornoch.
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Why does model fail to work here?
I read online the article concerning dozens of caravan parks being up in arms as Highland Council undercuts them with ‘unsafe’ motorhome parking scheme
How is it that a similar system works successfully throughout most of Europe?
Motorhomers and motor campers travel around, usually staying for just a night or two, and don't need most of the facilities that caravanners utilise when they 'set up camp' for a week or so.
Aires in France, Stellplatz in Germany, etc. I think it's sensible to follow the European model.
Campsites are way too expensive in the UK.
Les Morton
South Petherton.
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Highland Council plan ‘pure greed’
Whilst it would be useful to have more motorhome parking bays for daytime use in the strath and wider Highlands this scheme by Highland Council is ridiculous and totally unfair to camping businesses.
I would imagine traveller groups would also take advantage. This is pure greed on Highland Council's part.
We would always use a proper site.
Pam Palmer
Southampton.
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Leave oil and gas in the ground to help save the planet
Charles Wardrop suggests that the UK’s ‘huge exploitable mineral riches’ might save our public services, and therefore further UK oil exploration and drilling should not be banned by the new Government.
He implies that the cost of reaching net zero, including replacing oil and gas energy with renewable energy, would be a waste of money.
That is misleading nonsense because it ignores the benefits of reaching net zero and the alternative catastrophe of continuing global warming (Williamson ‘Cost of net zero’).
He could discuss how the short-term investment costs should be spent to achieve long-term benefits of net zero, while paying for our public services.
Or he could consider the pace at which UK fossil fuel exploitation might be run down to allow a just transition of jobs and expertise to the green economy.
But no, he draws on rhetoric about futile early 20 th Century US prohibition zealousness, and complains about misplaced ‘Green’ idealism.
That makes no sense because global warming is happening: June was the 13 th warmest month running for the month in the year since records began (Copernicus ‘Surface air temperature for June 2024’).
Wardrop’s argument that the UK should continue exploring for oil and gas flies in the face of warning that even half of planned world production of oil and gas reserves would push global warming past 1.5 C above pre-industrial times (UNEP Production
Gap Report 2023). “As a result, no new long-lead-time upstream oil and gas projects are needed” (IEA ‘The path to limiting global warming to 1.5 °C has narrowed , but clean energy growth is keeping it open’). If we are to stop global warming, the UK should not explore for more oil and gas, and should leave much of what we have in the ground.
Dermot Williamson
Kincraig.
