tourist tax for campers

tony

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in the highlands in scotland they are talking about a tourist tax on campers because they are getting over run with them & the locals are complaining.
another issue is campers are leaving their rubbish behind & emptying their toilets around the place.
it only takes a few to ruin it for everyone.

tony
 
They have been on about it for while. The Lake District have been discussing it also I think. Nobody seems to agree how it might work.

I don't have an issue with it in oversubscribed places or where there has been "issues" as long as the money goes towards improving infrastructure such as better services and parking for motorhomes. I wondered if a Vignette system might work for the highlands. Bit like Switzerland. It would all come down to policing and enforcement (more cost) of course.
 
They have been on about it for while. The Lake District have been discussing it also I think. Nobody seems to agree how it might work.

I don't have an issue with it in oversubscribed places or where there has been "issues" as long as the money goes towards improving infrastructure such as better services and parking for motorhomes. I wondered if a Vignette system might work for the highlands. Bit like Switzerland. It would all come down to policing and enforcement (more cost) of course.
Think it will be difficult to apply . Unless staying on a campsite of course .
Couldn't agree more about funds raised being used appropriately.
 
They have been on about it for while. The Lake District have been discussing it also I think. Nobody seems to agree how it might work.

I don't have an issue with it in oversubscribed places or where there has been "issues" as long as the money goes towards improving infrastructure such as better services and parking for motorhomes. I wondered if a Vignette system might work for the highlands. Bit like Switzerland. It would all come down to policing and enforcement (more cost) of course.
Mmm. I thought we already had a Vignette system in the uk....called vehicle excise duty, or road tax or whatever it's called now, Are you suggesting an extra tax just for motorhomes
 
Mmm. I thought we already had a Vignette system in the uk....called vehicle excise duty, or road tax or whatever it's called now, Are you suggesting an extra tax just for motorhomes
Not really but if they were going to do it then a vignette might be the only feasible way. Of course unruly tent campers imo are more of a problem at least certainly in the Lake District and parts of Scotland but I think the issue with vans is they are big, take up too much space, park in inappropriate areas, congregate together and have become a pia in some places.

The answer is maybe more official places to stop and more service points. That has to be funded somehow but reading between the lines a lot of the white settlers up there would rather we just fecked off.
 
Not really but if they were going to do it then a vignette might be the only feasible way. Of course unruly tent campers imo are more of a problem at least certainly in the Lake District and parts of Scotland but I think the issue with vans is they are big, take up too much space, park in inappropriate areas, congregate together and have become a pia in some places.

The answer is maybe more official places to stop and more service points. That has to be funded somehow but reading between the lines a lot of the white settlers up there would rather we just fecked off.
As I just have a little one [feel free] and avoid other vans like the plague I probably qualify for an exemption
 
Why not have a tourist tax, all local authorities in Europe charge it. Normally added to campsite bill
 
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Not really but if they were going to do it then a vignette might be the only feasible way. Of course unruly tent campers imo are more of a problem at least certainly in the Lake District and parts of Scotland but I think the issue with vans is they are big, take up too much space, park in inappropriate areas, congregate together and have become a pia in some places.
Another "tax" that would probably get lost in the "system" and not do ... if it was used properly....to set up more places to stay etc.
Not all vans are big and not all congregate together....meself I would rather be solo most times but can also rock up to and now in many cases sadly now mostly expensive campsites if needed and before ya start lol I was a campsite warden for 9 years so knows most of the hidden costs!

Social media is one of the biggest dividing things out there.....many vids etc of the "Get off my lands" can often smother the "You are welcome here" ones!
The usual rubbish one always gets the headlines but as has been shown at times not all are true! Being a full timer for many years, but taking a break at mo to oversee me 93 year old mother , majority off the full timers I know were the leave no trace, and the local constabulary liked the fact that I and others were at local car parks because it stopped " other activites!"
The answer is maybe more official places to stop and more service points. That has to be funded somehow but reading between the lines a lot of the white settlers up there would rather we just fecked off.
Totally agree with the need for more access point and service points and Scotland is in fact making great strides towards it through Campra.
And as being a white settler, I lived up in Mey for 6 years, that I can say from my experience, and this was before me full timing and living in bricks n mortar, that the locals in fact welcomed the incomers and the pounds they brought.
 
Another "tax" that would probably get lost in the "system" and not do ... if it was used properly....to set up more places to stay etc.
Not all vans are big and not all congregate together....meself I would rather be solo most times but can also rock up to and now in many cases sadly now mostly expensive campsites if needed and before ya start lol I was a campsite warden for 9 years so knows most of the hidden costs!

Social media is one of the biggest dividing things out there.....many vids etc of the "Get off my lands" can often smother the "You are welcome here" ones!
The usual rubbish one always gets the headlines but as has been shown at times not all are true! Being a full timer for many years, but taking a break at mo to oversee me 93 year old mother , majority off the full timers I know were the leave no trace, and the local constabulary liked the fact that I and others were at local car parks because it stopped " other activites!"

Totally agree with the need for more access point and service points and Scotland is in fact making great strides towards it through Campra.
And as being a white settler, I lived up in Mey for 6 years, that I can say from my experience, and this was before me full timing and living in bricks n mortar, that the locals in fact welcomed the incomers and the pounds they brought.

Good post and I agree with you. I know its a minority that cause the problems. I don't visit the highlands anymore but used to be a regular many moons ago. I joined the NC500 the land weeps group years ago to help fight our corner and bridge the gap between motorhomers and the residents of the NC500 area. Frankly it was depressing. I don't bother as much now.

The one thing thats obvious though is it has become too popular in recent years and something has to give. There is no denying there has been some bad behaviour and its frustrating for people like yourself and long term motorhomers on here that all follow the WC Code of conduct. The answer has to be more infrastructure and better educated campers. That has to be paid for somehow and I would only be in favour of any kind of levy if it was going to be ploughed back into just that.

As said its not just there. The Lake District in some respects is getting more Anti Campers than The NC500 but with them its more tents, cars and yobbos.
 
Good post and I agree with you. I know its a minority that cause the problems. I don't visit the highlands anymore but used to be a regular many moons ago. I joined the NC500 the land weeps group years ago to help fight our corner and bridge the gap between motorhomers and the residents of the NC500 area. Frankly it was depressing. I don't bother as much now.
Trouble with the NC500 its become a "badge of honour" and to a degree a victim of its own pushing by the Scottish Government as such and used to see so many "How many days to do the NC500" and missing the whole point of visiting the whole area and not just race around to gain the "I dun NC500". And like you I don't look too much now as the whole social media thing can be so skewed even from supposed full timers on Utube ( other outlets available!! )
The one thing thats obvious though is it has become too popular in recent years and something has to give. There is no denying there has been some bad behaviour and its frustrating for people like yourself and long term motorhomers on here that all follow the WC Code of conduct. The answer has to be more infrastructure and better educated campers. That has to be paid for somehow and I would only be in favour of any kind of levy if it was going to be ploughed back into just that.
A lot of it seems to come from the holidaying rentals brigade and the sometimes mentality of I wont be back so its not my problem brigade. The majority tend to look after the area and also more importantly putting back into the local community. Stop Shop and leave Clean I try to do.
hence my doubts on any "tax" going back to where it should be. But again I say, from what I can see, Scotland is trying to address it and the Forestry Commission are opening up more camp spots this year so obviously are starting to see the benifits.
As said its not just there. The Lake District in some respects is getting more Anti Campers than The NC500 but with them its more tents, cars and yobbos.
Agree . Tbh its over a lot of the UK. Many nimby brigades that only thinks of selves rather than the bigger picture for the community they live in
Where I live is most defiantly full of them!
Cars are one of the worst litterers imho. How many take away wrappers just dumped after they fed their faces and dump on ground or out the window as driving along without a thought. And a lot of that, again only my lil opinion, the thing most of us oldies have been brought up with is respect and folks nowadays just dont seem to have it.

Opppsss soap box away!
 
Trouble with the NC500 its become a "badge of honour" and to a degree a victim of its own pushing by the Scottish Government as such and used to see so many "How many days to do the NC500" and missing the whole point of visiting the whole area and not just race around to gain the "I dun NC500". And like you I don't look too much now as the whole social media thing can be so skewed even from supposed full timers on Utube ( other outlets available!! )

A lot of it seems to come from the holidaying rentals brigade and the sometimes mentality of I wont be back so its not my problem brigade. The majority tend to look after the area and also more importantly putting back into the local community. Stop Shop and leave Clean I try to do.
hence my doubts on any "tax" going back to where it should be. But again I say, from what I can see, Scotland is trying to address it and the Forestry Commission are opening up more camp spots this year so obviously are starting to see the benifits.

Agree . Tbh its over a lot of the UK. Many nimby brigades that only thinks of selves rather than the bigger picture for the community they live in
Where I live is most defiantly full of them!
Cars are one of the worst litterers imho. How many take away wrappers just dumped after they fed their faces and dump on ground or out the window as driving along without a thought. And a lot of that, again only my lil opinion, the thing most of us oldies have been brought up with is respect and folks nowadays just dont seem to have it.

Opppsss soap box away!

Another good post. We are on the same page I reckon.

I doubt anything will get implemented in the Highlands although I wouldn't put it past the Cumbrians to do something and frankly I hope they do. As said though I don't think its motorhomes that are the issue there. Facebook etc is to blame. Someone will post an idyllic wild camping spot, swimming spot, or secret waterfall just for likes and there will be 200 responses wanting to know where it is etc. Its causing a lot of anger. It all started in the pandemic I reckon.
 
The tourist tax will be collected by the place you stay, camp site, B&B, hotel etc.

There is no mechanism to collect the tax if you wild camp or stay at a aire that just asks for a donation.

A case of be careful what you ask for (to those campaigning for it) It might end up with more people avoiding camp sites and camping wild, quite possibly those that don't know how to do it responsibly and with care and respect.
 
It beats me how a private company can name a section of public roadway as the NC 500, and market it for their own gain, no doubt good accountants will see annual accounts as nil gain. Scottish Government has also to take responsibility for the carnage up there.

I’m glad I did those lovely areas years ago before this stupid name was introduced and marketed 🤬
 
The tourist tax will be collected by the place you stay, camp site, B&B, hotel etc.

There is no mechanism to collect the tax if you wild camp or stay at a aire that just asks for a donation.

A case of be careful what you ask for (to those campaigning for it) It might end up with more people avoiding camp sites and camping wild, quite possibly those that don't know how to do it responsibly and with care and respect.

Totally pointless I agree.

I think there used to be more rangers than there now is. I know they were complaining about losing some of them I seem to remember. Its a vast area to police unfortunately the NC500 but maybe prosecuting and fining a few of the bad apples that spoil it and set a bad example might help as will working with the hire companies to ensure the dream they are selling is properly explained with a proper code of conduct.
 
Totally pointless I agree.

I think there used to be more rangers than there now is. I know they were complaining about losing some of them I seem to remember. Its a vast area to police unfortunately the NC500 but maybe prosecuting and fining a few of the bad apples that spoil it and set a bad example might help as will working with the hire companies to ensure the dream they are selling is properly explained with a proper code of conduct.
It used to be that you were innocent until proven guilty in the UK, this doesn't seem to apply to anyone in a van in some places now.

Just catch the buggers doing it, (whatever they arrive in) and make examples of them, easy
 
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