SCOTS who live on the North Coast 500 have criticised a new “tone deaf” voluntary motorhome scheme launched by Highland Council which is supposed to help deal with overtourism in the region.
The local authority has introduced a new initiative which will entitle campervan owners to various benefits such as inclusive overnight parking at a network of designated car parks.
The seven-day pass costs £40 and is designed to help improve and sustain tourist infrastructure across the region such as public toilets.
It is not the same as a visitor’s tax as people don’t have to pay for it if they don’t want to. The council says it wants to “provide choice” and “empower those touring and visiting the Highlands”.
It is understood to be the first scheme of its kind in the UK but it has been met with huge opposition, with residents on the NC500 route describing it as a “bonkers” scheme that will not fix the problem of spiralling motorhome use.
Jane Taylor, from Thrumster near Wick, told The National: “This scheme is completely tone deaf to the concerns raised around the promotion of this type of tourism.
“I would say it actually will exacerbate the issues even more and give even more entitlement to those already looking to park free in carparks and lay-bys.
“Highland Council say they want authentic and sustainable tourism, and they come up with this. It is a bonkers idea that will only make it worse.”
A total of 28 caravan park businesses in the north have signed an open letter to Highland Council claiming that the new permit, which will allow motorhome users to stay in one of 12 designated carparks and use washing and toilet facilities at public leisure centres, will put their businesses at risk.
Ed Hall, who lives near Gairloch in Wester Ross, describes himself as a “reluctant campaigner” who is “trying to protect our home environment from the damage inflicted on the Highlands by the relentless over promotion of what was once a peaceful part of the country”.
He questioned the practicality of the scheme.
“What we and a good many others wish to see is enforcement of current legislation, for the safety and benefit of both visitors and residents, and that like any other visitor, if no legal, safe place to stay is available, then perhaps you can't come, after all,” said Hall.
“Were I to arrive in Edinburgh in August to find the hotels booked up, do I have the right to berate the locals for a lack of provision, at a price I want to dictate? Or should I expect Edinburgh Council to provide me with accommodation for free?
“The tiny villages of the Highland region simply cannot be expected to provide places for what appears to be an unlimited amount of motorhomes and campervans, apparently for free.
“The idea that if a vehicle is taxed, insured etc. that you can park anywhere unless restrictions prevent you doing so is only true for parking. It does not allow me to cook, shower and sleep in it.”
Council tax contributes 20% of the overall budget for statutory and non-statutory services and the council says supporting the scheme will allow people to take advantage of included benefits.
Robin Pettigrew, who spoke to The National last year about his campaign for a vehicle-based levy for tourists, said he hoped the scheme would succeed in its aims but he still maintained a compulsory tax on vehicles is the way forward.
The Lochcarron resident, who is chartered member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, said: “I am aware how Highland Council have suffered under austerity and consequently we have lost services including the respected Highland Out Door Access Rangers.
“Some form of income generation for the council to provide services to communities and visitors is needed and the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act will take time to process in whatever form it appears up here.
“Clearly the way forward is a vehicle-based levy. Our figures show a vehicle levee would bring in excess of £22 million per annum.
“The high cost of clearing up after a significant minority of poorly behaved visitors as evidenced in the Highland Council Out Door Access Rangers Annual Reports show the clear need for an enhanced ranger services and additional waste disposal facilities.”
The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act was passed in May and enables councils to apply a levy on overnight stays, but Pettigrew insists taxing vehicles will prove more fruitful in the Highlands.
Another 76-year-old resident of Thurso, who asked not to be named, said she “despaired” at what was happening to the Highlands because of overtourism as she described the voluntary initiative as a “bad idea”.
She added that the scheme would be the “final nail in the coffin” for campsites on the route which already struggle to attract visitors.
She said: “It is almost as though Highland Council is trying its best to make life as difficult as possible for people who actually live here, while at the same time making themselves a laughing stock to everyone, especially those tourists who are looking for a completely free holiday.
“There is no such thing as honesty nowadays. You simply cannot assume they will do the right thing, you have to make strict and easy to understand rules, with police and rangers to issue fines when they don't.
“Campsite owners are barely making a living because there is no compulsion to use them. This stupid scheme will put the final nail in the coffin for some of them.
“What is needed is a restriction on the numbers of vehicles coming and make it compulsory to use a campsite overnight.”
A Highland Council spokesperson said: “Earlier this year, the public, partners, and the Highland Council’s staff were invited to take part in a survey and share suggestions ahead of the council’s budget for 2024/25.
"Emerging themes from the public engagement highlighted that people understood the need to raise income generation, with the most common suggestion to do so through campervans and motorhomes to help support sustainable tourism in the Highlands.
“For the 12 sites established in 2022 which are included in the voluntary scheme, engagement was undertaken at the time. Where the council would like to consider extending the number of sites included in the voluntary scheme then engagement will be undertaken.”
