Ruby Bay Elie issues.

[Fisherman]

I received an email from Robbie Blythe last night, and things are getting ridiculous at Ruby Bay carpark in Fife. Robbie is CEO Fife coastal trust. I will be phoning him on Wednesday to discuss not only Ruby Bay but the whole situation in Fife. But Robbie has reported that up to 50 vans have been parked at Ruby Bay, and due to this they have now closed the Elsan point which is connected to a sceptic tank and cannot cope. I will ask Robbie for permission to post his email on here, and report back the content of our discussion, but things have to change for everyone’s sake. We no longer visit the Fife honeypots in summer, spring, and Autumn, only venturing there in winter. Can I please ask anyone reading this does likewise, honestly I doubt if you would enjoy staying there anyway.

 

[Jo001]

Sad face for the situation, not for your post. Thank you for letting us know. We haven't been to Ruby Bay now since 2022 (and that was February) because we don't want to risk not getting on, and we certainly don't want to contribute to the problem.

 

[runnach]

We don’t bother with Ruby Bay and Kingsbarns during peak times, for the reasons you outlined, Bill. I usually have a plan B in the event of both MH spaces taken up, others don’t bother, the abusers will kill these spots off for us. One day the barrier at Ruby will be closed and one added at KB’s.

 

[Fisherman]

We don’t bother with Ruby Bay and Kingsbarns during peak times, for the reasons you outlined, Bill. I usually have a plan B in the event of both MH spaces taken up, others don’t bother, the abusers will kill these spots off for us. One day the barrier at Ruby will be closed and one added at KB’s.

Not if Robbie has anything to do with it Terry. I have a few ideas I will put to him. But things have to change.

 

[st3v3]

Do they charge to stay here?

 

[Tonybvi]

Talking to the ranger a few months back at Ruby Bay he was called out one night by the landowner (I assume the land is leased by the coastal trust) because there were 67 vans parked up.
Like others here we only go there now in winter and even then not at weekends.

 

[Fisherman]

Do they charge to stay here?

£10 a night.

 

[TimSands]

The obvious solution is pre booking with ANPR camera on a barrier. This works very well at the Cullen and Findhorn aires in Moray and ensures arrangements are sustainable and well managed whilst getting a good income

 

[runnach]

Not if Robbie has anything to do with it Terry. I have a few ideas I will put to him. But things have to change.

I hear what you are saying Bill, however, if numbers aren’t managed, or can’t be managed, and with locals complaining, the local council may go down the easy install a barrier route ?

What does boil my wee though is, summer times I have stopped over Ruby Bay, place was like a Palestinian refugee camp with tents scattered around the place.

I don’t know the answer, I hope a proper fix to suit all can be done?

 

[Fisherman]

I hear what you are saying Bill, however, if numbers aren’t managed, or can’t be managed, and with locals complaining, the local council may go down the easy install a barrier route ?

What does boil my wee though is, summer times I have stopped over Ruby Bay, place was like a Palestinian refugee camp with tents scattered around the place.

I don’t know the answer, I hope a proper fix to suit all can be done?

I think they should bring down the barriers April to October, then look to create a controlled site like Findhorn and Cullen.

 

[runnach]

I think they should bring down the barriers April to October, then look to create a controlled site like Findhorn and Cullen.

Agreed

 

[Nabsim]

Whatever they do is only going to move the problem elsewhere by the sound of it. I haven't been to either spot and wouldn't in summer anyway but it sounds like they should be looking at facilities for 100 vans. Of course if they do that it may still be more turning up.

 

[campervanannie]

Not if Robbie has anything to do with it Terry. I have a few ideas I will put to him. But things have to change.

Last time we went it was full must have been 20 vans there and two had fire pits going at the far end needless to say we left and have not been back since just sad, needs a price increase to cover the cost of an attendant to issue a few fines or a bit of clamping with a £100 release fee word will soon get round and it will put the abusers off.

 

[mistericeman]

Just the usual entitled Knobheads then ....

Ohh someone is parked there already ....so all is well ...

Ohh there's 19 other vans ....one more will be fine ...
It's my human right
Why shouldn't I
What harm can it do
There's no one to stop me
It's a free country etc etc ....

Seriously ....

I've seen it all over the years ....and the more time goes on the more I'm convinced the whole Internet posting of any spot and 'Van lifers/influences '
Have a lot to answer for .

Same in the greenlaning world ....lovely peaceful ancient lanes and byways driven responsibly with due consideration for the seasons ...
Now ruined OR permanently closed because of volume of traffic and inconsiderate usage after being plastered all over the Internet ...

I KNOW this sounds like gatekeeping BUT thats not my angle ....
Just large chunks of mouth breathing knuckledragging monobrowed unable to act in a civilised manner .

 

[flying kipper]

The obvious solution is pre booking with ANPR camera on a barrier. This works very well at the Cullen and Findhorn aires in Moray and ensures arrangements are sustainable and well managed whilst getting a good income

That is the only solution it is limited to 7 paying motorhomes.it will be 1st seven to book get the places only.the ellson could have a pay QR code the same as the Aberfeldy aire.we weren't these locations in the last week or so.the rangers were round regularly.the free ellson for any van would soon fill the septic tank

 

[Fisherman]

Just received email from Robbie set up chat for tomorrow. But I will be calling for Elie Ruby Bay to be closed to motorhomes until 1 November. What’s going on is completely untenable. It’s damaging everyone accept the idiots who reckon this kind of behaviour is acceptable. On my last summer visit to Ruby Bay before Covid, there were idiots who were set up for a week or more. We finished up leaving that night heading for Craigmead. Robbie and Fife Coastal Trust deserve better.
To be honest the current format was always going to end like this. Trying to limit numbers to seven in winter is hard enough, but trying to do this in summer is simply not possible.
I think what’s required is controlled access for vans using pre booking and a ANPR barrier either within Ruby Bay or better still on a new Aire similar to Findhorn. This however would mean a sea change for Fife, possibly simply not possible or viable. But no matter what unfolds, this kind of selfish behaviour cannot continue, it has to stop, and I think it’s important that the locals know at our recommendation. After all we are not all so selfish.

Typical Robbie is looking to improve sewerage at Ruby Bay to improve the situation, Robbie will argue against me, I know he will.

On a brighter note he also gave some good news about a new carpark for our use in Glenrothes. There will be four places in a recently upgraded park, details to follow.

 

[Tonybvi]

I think the Cullen and Findhorn model works very well (except Findhorn is getting a bit pricey). I know that having to advance book takes a bit of spontaneity away but better than what is happening at Ruby Bay these days.
When we go to Ruby Bay we always try to eat in The Ship but can’t book in advance because we never know if there will be space for us at Ruby Bay. Advance booking at Ruby Bay would allow us to also book the Ship. Possibly a selfish view from me but we always try to bring money into the area where we stay.

 

[st3v3]

£10 a night.

IF everyone staying is paying that, isn't that what covers the tank being emptied? And IF that's the only problem....

 

[st3v3]

Same in the greenlaning world ....

On a very random tangent, did you ever do Ringspit lane?

Closed years ago, but was pretty cool.

Ringspit Ln · Bristol

Bristol

www.google.co.uk

Here's a much faster visit than we did!

 

[Fisherman]

IF everyone staying is paying that, isn't that what covers the tank being emptied? And IF that's the only problem....

50 vans in a carpark where only 7 are allowed is the problem.
And not everyone is paying.
I have left Ruby Bay when 20 odd vans where parked there not wanting to be part of an encampment, god only knows what 50 would be like.