CAMPERBANNED NC500’s fresh ban NEWS

[G and T]

CAMPERBANNED NC500’s fresh ban on motorhomes & campervans edges closer as council gives major update
Elected members said they have been 'bombarded' by complaints
Mike Merritt The Scottish Sun
Published: 17:07, 17 Feb 2025Updated: 17:07, 17 Feb 2025
Councillors have today decided to move to impose an overnight ban on campervans using council car parks along the NC500 route.

The decision followed complaints from locals about waste dumping and anti-social behaviour.

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Highland Council's Sutherland County Committee unanimously agreed to recommend the ban at two key car parks where overnight stays are currently permitted.

At present, these car parks, located in Durness and Golspie on the NC500 route, allow campervans to stay overnight for £10 per night.

Visitors are currently restricted to a single night's stay and are prohibited from returning within 72 hours.

While daytime parking would remain unaffected, the council's parking enforcement team would begin policing overnight stays.

Full article:

NC500's ban on motorhomes & campervans edges close as council gives major update

Councillors have today decided to move to impose an overnight ban on campervans using council car parks along the NC500 route. The decision followed complaints from locals about waste dumping and a…

www.thescottishsun.co.uk

 

[caledonia]

It would be interesting to see these complaints that have been bombarding the cooncil?

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Hey guys
I’ve got to be honest and say I haven’t read the entire interpretations or official stance on the landowners decisions,
However if what has been suggested along the lines posted that a nights stay non return in 72hs is suggested…,
I honestly don’t think that’s bad

 

[Boris7]

Its a bit like closing the door when the horses have bolted.
Couple of years back the NC500 was a disgrace with camper van owners behaving badly, since then Covid has gone and vans are nowhere as popular amounst what at best you would call inexperienced users and at worst you say kin idiots

In 2020 I was appauled at the behaviour of many in Scotland, mostly day vans or campervans (not that theres anything wrong with such) who simply were not equiped to being off grid for many days.

But now its effectively back to pre-covid days

 

[trevskoda]

Its a bit like closing the door when the horses have bolted.
Couple of years back the NC500 was a disgrace with camper van owners behaving badly, since then Covid has gone and vans are nowhere as popular amounst what at best you would call inexperienced users and at worst you say kin idiots

In 2020 I was appauled at the behaviour of many in Scotland, mostly day vans or campervans (not that theres anything wrong with such) who simply were not equiped to being off grid for many days.

But now its effectively back to pre-covid days

As i have said, vans witout proper toilets and wast water holding tanks should no be regestered as such or allowed to stay overnight unless a council toilet is open 24/7, there should be a distintion between motorcaravans & day vans/vans with windows etc.
This would or should stop the hedge sh-ters and wast dumpers somewhat.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Yep,
I think that’s a fair point or distinction Trev

 

[Nesting Zombie]

But just to clarify-
We all know Bears s*it in the woods right ?.
Would the masses alow Zombies the same privilege if the council toilets where closed if armed with a Spade ?.

 

[G and T]

Wonder how they will police the car campers and tents on top of cars. Seen lots of these last year.

 

[korky]

As i have said, vans witout proper toilets and wast water holding tanks should no be regestered as such or allowed to stay overnight unless a council toilet is open 24/7, there should be a distintion between motorcaravans & day vans/vans with windows etc.
This would or should stop the hedge sh-ters and wast dumpers somewhat.

When it was all getting a bit mental up there just after lockdown, I had a look at a couple of Scottish hire companies out of curiosity,and some of the smaller vans listed had no bog. Being rented in the main to newbies,what could possibly go wrong?

 

[trevskoda]

When it was all getting a bit mental up there just after lockdown, I had a look at a couple of Scottish hire companies out of curiosity,and some of the smaller vans listed had no bog. Being rented in the main to newbies,what could possibly go wrong?

All i can say is those lumps in the feilds are not mole hills.

 

[Boris7]

I did hear that camper van rental companies in Scotland now include life jackets

 

[Robmac]

As i have said, vans witout proper toilets and wast water holding tanks should no be regestered as such or allowed to stay overnight unless a council toilet is open 24/7, there should be a distintion between motorcaravans & day vans/vans with windows etc.
This would or should stop the hedge sh-ters and wast dumpers somewhat.

So what you're suggesting Trev is punish all small van owners for the bad behaviour of a few?

Like some councils try to do to all motorhomers because some empty their cassettes into ditches and streams.

 

[Boris7]

Tbf Rob I think the sentiment of what Trevs suggesting is well intended, but as you say there’s an issue with the mechanics of applying it.

Again with the NC500 the horses have already left the stable.

 

[Fisherman]

As i have said, vans witout proper toilets and wast water holding tanks should no be regestered as such or allowed to stay overnight unless a council toilet is open 24/7, there should be a distintion between motorcaravans & day vans/vans with windows etc.
This would or should stop the hedge sh-ters and wast dumpers somewhat.

Seems logical Trev.
But I hate the thought of banning folk en masse.
I reckon most who use vans like this are responsible, but sadly I have twice witnessed urinating in carparks. I think New Zealand has banned campers from WC. But I hate the idea of doing this, it so unjust.

 

[alcam]

Hey guys
I’ve got to be honest and say I haven’t read the entire interpretations or official stance on the landowners decisions,
However if what has been suggested along the lines posted that a nights stay non return in 72hs is suggested…,
I honestly don’t think that’s bad

That is what it is at present not what's proposed I think

 

[trevskoda]

So what you're suggesting Trev is punish all small van owners for the bad behaviour of a few?

Like some councils try to do to all motorhomers because some empty their cassettes into ditches and streams.

No Rob but as im sure you well know that there is a bigger chance of toiletless vans dumping waste in rivers or ditches.
It would be easy for councils to provide septic tank units in places to help, dont see it happining though.

 

[RichardHelen262]

Rather than ban everyone in camper’s because of a few leaving rubbish behind and some emptying their toilet waste,
They could always do as most of Europe does, and provide a bin for the rubbish and also somewhere to empty the toilet cassette.

 

[Robmac]

No Rob but as im sure you well know that there is a bigger chance of toiletless vans dumping waste in rivers or ditches.
It would be easy for councils to provide septic tank units in places to help, dont see it happining though.

I can't see anybody in a van not taking some sort of toilet facility with them for wildcamping Trev.

But the last thing I want is some ranger banging on my door to see if I have one every time I stop somewhere.

 

[trevskoda]

I can't see anybody in a van not taking some sort of toilet facility with them for wildcamping Trev.

But the last thing I want is some ranger banging on my door to see if I have one every time I stop somewhere.

True but many vans i see here dont have a loo, in fact most have little more than a fold down chair bed and some dont even have cooking or a fridge installed or any form of insulation etc, surley these are not campervans or motorhomes, im sure you have seen these to.
AS for rangers there is not any here and wilding is almost 100% free in most places, bub when one needs to go what then, im up 3/4 times a night.

 

[ricc]

I don't really see the problem with needing a pee in the night, one of those Tupper ware type cereal containers works quite well, I got one when daughter booked us into an air BnB with downstairs toilet and narrow winding staircase. Disposal onto grass or shrubbery is little different to a cow or deer having a pee, and it's fertiliser.

We got a long wheelbase vivaro cos it gave more room to carry a portaloo and have the space to use it with the bed in use. I use the cereal pot if the loo ain't been used cos emptying is less of a chore. Mostly in a site toilet if available. Whilst we use the showers and dish washing facilities.

We also carry a spade , don't empty the toilet very often ,but it's there if needed.