Highlands set for a network of motorhome stopovers?

[Morphology]

This on the BBC Website this morning:

Highlands set for a network of motorhome stopovers

 

[Polar Bear]

The phrase "Dirty camoing" jumps from the page?

 

[mariesnowgoose]

The phrase "Dirty camping" jumps from the page?

To be fair this happens - the minority of dirty, selfish bughas again, but we all get tarred with the same brush, so nowt new there?

I think the positive bit to take from this story is that the idea of aires in the UK is now entering mainstream media, which is pretty good progress in my book.

My guess is that thanks are probably due to some of the folks in the CamPRA campaign who appear to have been working with councils behind the scenes throughout the pandemic to help things like this come about.

 

[Sharon the Cat]

I think that CamPRA have been a great help. Lots of people complain about charges but at least they are getting the message out there and I for one am more than happy to pay to dispose of waste and park up for the night, just not £35 type camp site fees.

 

[Drover]

Personally I liked this part...
Highland Council's idea is based on continental Europe's long-established Aires network. Many of the motorhome sites are provided free of charge, while others can be used for a small fee.

Though blaming campervan owners for the waste is a little harsh.
Portaloo in the back of a van would be a better description....
But it's a forward step....so good

 

[barryd]

Have a look on Facebook at the "nc500 the land weeps" group. They are going to love this. Not!

It's what is needed though but my time spent on that group tells me there are many who just don't want us or want us herded onto sites. There does however appear to be a genuine issue with too many vans.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Have a look on Facebook at the "nc500 the land weeps" group. They are going to love this. Not!

It's what is needed though but my time spent on that group tells me there are many who just don't want us or want us herded onto sites. There does however appear to be a genuine issue with too many vans.

Yup.

Too many newcomers getting the bug for it since the pandemic hit.
Bit of a mixed blessing?

Yes, we might be finally getting more aire facilities which helps those of us who prefer to wildcamp most of the time, but now loads more vans roaming the highways and byways and generally cluttering up the popular tourist honey spots even more than ever.

 

[Sky]

Well, it's long overdue isn't it? Well done Scotland for leading the way.

I think charging for disposal will still encourage the scumbags that already do it to continue doing so. However, having a free waste point next to a coin operated fresh water tap may work.

 

[Nabsim]

The fact that there are a lot more people in vans shouldn’t come into it. The number of people who have to live in a van as they can’t afford otherwise has been rising fairly rapidly for a few years. It’s probably the fact they don’t want people going abroad because of the pandemic that’s putting pressure on the lack of infrastructure. That’s not to take anything away from Campra and the Highland Council etc, they are doing wonderful work

 

[Biggarmac]

This has been on the cards for a while but there have been internal struggles between different council departments. It seems that Economic development has won the battle with planning!

 

[Fisherman]

Have a look on Facebook at the "nc500 the land weeps" group. They are going to love this. Not!

It's what is needed though but my time spent on that group tells me there are many who just don't want us or want us herded onto sites. There does however appear to be a genuine issue with too many vans.

Sorry Barry but I completely disagree that there are to many vans.
The problem is we don’t have enough facilities, and some councils behave poorly towards us, and to date they are getting away with this.
Per capita the U.K. has one of the lowest figures for Motorhome ownership.

Including all types of Motorhomes we have 205,000
France with a similar population has 457,000
Germany has 490,000
Holland with only 1/5th of our pop has 105,000
Sweden with 1/6th of our pop has 93,000

I could go on.

But what this all boils down to is an attempt by highland council to do what they and the rest should have been doing years ago.
But I do applaud them for at least not sticking their heads in the sand like other areas. All this does is reduce the amount of places to visit, putting even more pressure on the councils who are trying to be proactive, and who don’t see the solution being to put up barriers and signs saying you are not welcome here.
There are problems no doubt, and Covid has accentuated this. But what’s going on right now is the product of years of mis management by the powers at be.
I do appreciate that England is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe, but that’s no excuse for what’s been going on for years.

 

[Red Dwarf]

Have a look on Facebook at the "nc500 the land weeps" group. They are going to love this. Not!

It's what is needed though but my time spent on that group tells me there are many who just don't want us or want us herded onto sites. There does however appear to be a genuine issue with too many vans.

This is a difficult one.
Living here just inland from the north highland coast is my great selfish pleasure, I’ve done my city living. Without tourists about the place is like a 1000 square mile village, you know everyone everywhere one way or another.

Since the inception of the NC500 there’s been a rapidly growing number of tourists, not just in motor homes. Sports car clubs race around, classic cars chug around, cyclists who fear nothing, hoards of German motorcyclists blitz krieging on their BMWs plus hikers, caravanners and of course touring cars.
Attempting to go about your work, if it means you have to travel, is a real pain during the summer months. Journey times can triple!
Community nurses who cover big geographical areas can’t get round to see all their patients. Try driving a hgv up here in the summer? I’ve had tourists impede my ambulance before now.
So, the tourists sort of spoil it all!

BUT.

The tourists bring money and demand, these in turn create seasonal employment. A handful of extra jobs in an area like this is a big percentage, so there’s a very positive benefit.

Recent events have created the biggest change. There is now huge demand for very rural property, areas of very low population. The strath is twenty odd miles in length, around fifty folk.
So, not only are there hoards of tourists, you now can’t afford to buy a house here! Past year has seen increases of 20%-40% in property values.

I think the secret that was the north highlands is well out of the bag. What needs to happen is money spent on infrastructure to cope with the rising numbers of tourists and a proper integrated plan to provide good quality parking and available facilities. Unfortunately, the Scottish central government appears to have no interest in the far north.

Come October the tourists will taper off, the leaves will fall from the trees and we’ll get our wonderland back for the winter.

 

[Biggarmac]

I've just visited Vatersay in the Outer Hebrides. They had a problem with people in cars and vans parking on the sensitive machair land. Instead of banning everyone they built extra parking places, well spaced out and put discrete wooden posts in the places where drivers used to go onto the machair. They charge £5 a night to park a motorhome or pitch a tent. They have a great community cafe where there are showers and a toilet. CDP is at the ferry terminals. Problem sorted and an income of about £3000 a year for the community. Other places should follow their lead.

 

[barryd]

Sorry Barry but I completely disagree that there are to many vans.
The problem is we don’t have enough facilities, and some councils behave poorly towards us, and to date they are getting away with this.
Per capita the U.K. has one of the lowest figures for Motorhome ownership.

Including all types of Motorhomes we have 205,000
France with a similar population has 457,000
Germany has 490,000
Holland with only 1/5th of our pop has 105,000
Sweden with 1/6th of our pop has 93,000

I could go on.

But what this all boils down to is an attempt by highland council to do what they and the rest should have been doing years ago.
But I do applaud them for at least not sticking their heads in the sand like other areas. All this does is reduce the amount of places to visit, putting even more pressure on the councils who are trying to be proactive, and who don’t see the solution being to put up barriers and signs saying you are not welcome here.
There are problems no doubt, and Covid has accentuated this. But what’s going on right now is the product of years of mis management by the powers at be.
I do appreciate that England is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe, but that’s no excuse for what’s been going on for years.

As Red Dwarf explains its not just the requirement for infrastructure its the amount of visitors and the fact that the roads were just not made for big vans in huge numbers.

Building Aire type facilities is great but having observed both sides of the argument for the past year now it does seem to be the case that the numbers are too many for the roads and the environment. There were talks about a permit or toll. Not sure how that could possibly be policed or incorporated.

One things for sure though, the locals aint happy.

 

[Fisherman]

As Red Dwarf explains its not just the requirement for infrastructure its the amount of visitors and the fact that the roads were just not made for big vans in huge numbers.

Building Aire type facilities is great but having observed both sides of the argument for the past year now it does seem to be the case that the numbers are too many for the roads and the environment. There were talks about a permit or toll. Not sure how that could possibly be policed or incorporated.

One things for sure though, the locals aint happy.

Barry they have similar roads in France, Germany, and every other country in Europe. But they also have facilities in place that have been developed over decades. We now find ourselves in a mess created by years of inaction, ignorance, and NIMBYS who are determined to see us off, supported by the media who seem to see us as vagrants determined to destroy rural environments.

 

[Wully]

They had a bit about this on Radio Scotland today and it sounded really positive. Even the the local people interviewed were for it and it sounded like there may be more good news down the line when others see a financial benefit to there community.

 

[Fisherman]

They had a bit about this on Radio Scotland today and it sounded really positive. Even the the local people interviewed were for it and it sounded like there may be more good news down the line when others see a financial benefit to there community.

Yes Wully I do agree that things are sounding more positive. But these plans will take time to bear fruit, meanwhile with the situation in England and Wales it appears that many feel Scotland is the better option. Scotland on its own should not have to bear such high demand created by poor attitudes elsewhere. We can only hope that other parts of the U.K. will start to wake up to this issue. We are not talking about spending vast sums here, it’s mostly about a change of attitude towards us, and some common sense with joined up thinking taking place.

 

[barryd]

Barry they have similar roads in France, Germany, and every other country in Europe. But they also have facilities in place that have been developed over decades. We now find ourselves in a mess created by years of inaction, ignorance, and NIMBYS who are determined to see us off, supported by the media who seem to see us as vagrants determined to destroy rural environments.

I think the argument around the NC500 is that they dont have similar roads to most of France. Much of it is single track. Unfortunately it also does appear that some are really not behaving sensibly. So you have two issues which are causing real anti motorhome feeling amongst some, being overwhelmed and bad wild camping behaviour.

Thats why this group was set up. https://www.facebook.com/groups/616510159069958

Now dont get me wrong, there is a fair few NIMBYS on there for sure, Ill put money on it that most of the ring leaders will be English, wealthy and just want everyone to sod off but without doubt there is a problem and "they" think Aires will just make it worse.

 

[Fisherman]

I think the argument around the NC500 is that they dont have similar roads to most of France. Much of it is single track. Unfortunately it also does appear that some are really not behaving sensibly. So you have two issues which are causing real anti motorhome feeling amongst some, being overwhelmed and bad wild camping behaviour.

Thats why this group was set up. https://www.facebook.com/groups/616510159069958

Now dont get me wrong, there is a fair few NIMBYS on there for sure, Ill put money on it that most of the ring leaders will be English, wealthy and just want everyone to sod off but without doubt there is a problem and "they" think Aires will just make it worse.

Yes Barry fair points, I think we both agree that things have to change, and mostly outwith Scotland.
A large percentage possibly half of all motorhomes up here are registered in other parts of the UK.
I am not totally convinced that the staycation element is having that much of an effect.
Because we have no visitors from Europe who probably make up around 20% of visitors in normal times.
But as we have seen on the media, and in visits to Fife and elsewhere, we are not the main issue.
Those in tents, and casual day-trippers are the main problem.

 

[Polar Bear]

It's a shame there doesn't seem to be any permanence about establishing these Aires?