Compulsory charges at CairnGorm Mountain ski car parks

I was unaware that a voluntary scheme was in place.
I thought parking was f.o.c, on the assumption that most patrons would inevitably be spending £££ at the facility.
Having said that, on other forums and particularly Trip Advisor, they have been accused of money grabbing and delivering poor service, so perhaps it's not surprising that they're looking to increase revenue further...
 
i've no real issue with compulsory parking charges per say - the Forestry Commission charge £2-£3 per day at the 7 Staines MTB trail centres in Dumfries & Galloway (Ae, Mabie, Dalbiettie etc) and its great value for money - but £8 for a MH is taking the mick - :( for a day stop? fair enough if it was for an overnight stay.... but just to visit? they will definately be puting visitors off at that price.
The FC charge MH as per cars and minibus are £8 ish iirc.
 
The operators of the site said donations were received for only one in 20 vehicles.

snip
The voluntary donation scheme had not raised enough funds to cover the upkeep of the car parks, near Aviemore, it added.
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another example of FLT spoiling it for all .. can't blame the operators ..
 
Parking charges have been in force from Loch Morlich up to the ski lift for years, I'm surprised charges at the top have not been introduced before now.

£8 is a bit steep though ( not a mountain pun ! ).
 
gerry mcg said:
£8 for a MH is taking the mick
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Not just motorhomes, the company's web site says "The cost for minibuses, caravans and camper-vans will be £8 per day".
Presumably this reflects the extra space taken up together with the long term plans - "In the long term it is hoped that a 24-hour toilet facility could be introduced, as well as improved campervan facilities and electric hook-ups".
 
GJH said:
- "In the long term it is hoped that a 24-hour toilet facility could be introduced, as well as improved campervan facilities and electric hook-ups".
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Something similar to Glencoe then, that’s £15pn inc water and hook-up from memory??

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but Glencoe is like a posh aire, with services - and I don't grudge paying £15 it if staying over night, but £8 for a carpark during the day, with no services, for an hour? put the services in first and then charge....

I'd like to see some definition of "in the long term" ... next 20yrs? - no mention of sliding scale of charges for short stay either 2hrs, 3hrs, whole day charge and no mention of how costs would be dealt with if overnighting.... 2 days? or doing night climbs or bivvying out on the mountain overnight and not returning to your car... e.g. - its going to keep tourists away - they have top remember the only real way to get up to there is to drive and if people start to get big parking costs, they will just not bother going up... it stinks of revenue raising of the lowest denomination when they should really be investing the lift ticket and revenue income from the various activities into the whole infrastructure.
not impressed.
 
gerry mcg said:
but Glencoe is like a posh aire, with services - and I don't grudge paying £15 it if staying over night, but £8 for a carpark during the day, with no services, for an hour? put the services in first and then charge....

I'd like to see some definition of "in the long term" ... next 20yrs? - no mention of sliding scale of charges for short stay either 2hrs, 3hrs, whole day charge and no mention of how costs would be dealt with if overnighting.... 2 days? or doing night climbs or bivvying out on the mountain overnight and not returning to your car... e.g. - its going to keep tourists away - they have top remember the only real way to get up to there is to drive and if people start to get big parking costs, they will just not bother going up... it stinks of revenue raising of the lowest denomination when they should really be investing the lift ticket and revenue income from the various activities into the whole infrastructure.
not impressed.
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I suppose the only way to obtain such a definition and an accurate idea of timescales would be to ask them direct.
 
There is nothing there that you can't get elsewhere except for the funicular.
£40 for a family of 4 before you have to pay an extra £8
It will scare away potential customers.

I very much doubt it will get anywhere near its 220,000 visitors in future with the ski centre also losing revenues.
 
As a frequent visitor to Loch Morlich and Cairngorm I dont think the charge is unreasonable. All the funds raised are going towards maintaining and improving the parking facilities. I've always paid the recommended voluntary contribution but have seen myself how few do, everyone wants something for nothing these days. Also £25 buys you an annual pass to all three carparks and if you have a blue badge it costs nothing. I seriously doubt it will impinge on visitor numbers except possibly the FLT's who contribute nothing. By the way you can get up there by bike and its an absolute hoot coming back down! :cycle:
 
Can't see any info if the £25 annual pass will cover motorhomes.

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In their Terms & Conditions it says:

Cars £2

Minibuses/Vans/ £8
Campervans

Annual Passes £25
 
I don't think it was motor home owners who were not paying the but car owners .so there you are.
 
£2 for cars and £8 for motorhomes per day is going to stop people going? :LOL:
 
i must admit we found a lot of atractions in scotland a bit steep in the price £4 to look at a pile of stones i dont think so
 
Suggest you vote with your wallet and walk away, plenty free attractions all over Scotland, explore some of the lesser known places. Been to Glen Esk today, lovely folk museum (free) attached to a marvelous visitor centre and cafe. , free car park at the end of the Glen, adjacent to an historic church ( free entry ), lots of walks. Better scenery couldn't be found. I was on the motorbike but lots of room for motorhomes.

Oh - it was 23c as well .

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Geistguy said:
Suggest you vote with your wallet and walk away, plenty free attractions all over Scotland, explore some of the lesser known places. Been to Glen Esk today
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Difficult to walk away we go to ski and don't mind paying for the lift pass. Add the rest like food etc spent on the mountain then it's a really costly day out. Especially over a 5 or 7 day period. Will seriously think about going to Glencoe with free day parking in future.
 
mitzimad said:
i must admit we found a lot of atractions in scotland a bit steep in the price £4 to look at a pile of stones i dont think so
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Compared to £17.50 for Stonehenge :)
 
My Dog Likes Fishing said:
Difficult to walk away we go to ski and don't mind paying for the lift pass. Add the rest like food etc spent on the mountain then it's a really costly day out. Especially over a 5 or 7 day period. Will seriously think about going to Glencoe with free day parking in future.
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Was up at Glencoe mountain resort about 3 weeks ago. If not using one of the pay pitches next to the camping cabins , there is now a donation box for overnight staying on the general parking area.. Next to the tent pitching area at the bottom of the car park.
 
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I contacted them (Cairngorm). Their reply follows....


"Sorry for any confusion. We only charge £8.00 if a camper is a long stay eg overnight. Many campervans come in after hours and we suggest to use the Pay boxes around the site, which many campers do.
If a camper is just in for a day visit the charge is £2.00."

I hope that helps.
 
Camdoon said:
Compared to £17.50 for Stonehenge :)
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Who in there right mind would even think of going there ? Bad enough being stuck for hours in a queue every time trying to drive past the place.

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Sabino said:
I contacted them (Cairngorm). Their reply follows....


"Sorry for any confusion. We only charge £8.00 if a camper is a long stay eg overnight. Many campervans come in after hours and we suggest to use the Pay boxes around the site, which many campers do.
If a camper is just in for a day visit the charge is £2.00."

I hope that helps.
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We were there just two nights ago and the notices certainly don't lead you to think that. It actually says buses, minibuses and campervans £8 per day which lead us to think if we stayed overnight it would be £16.
All forestry sites banned overnight parking except Alt Mor
 
abforfun said:
We were there just two nights ago and the notices certainly don't lead you to think that. It actually says buses, minibuses and campervans £8 per day which lead us to think if we stayed overnight it would be £16.
All forestry sites banned overnight parking except Alt Mor
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We used to drive up and visit the shops. We would have a coffee and a scone. £8 extra for our coffee and scone is a definite no no.
 
Bobby22 said:
We used to drive up and visit the shops. We would have a coffee and a scone. £8 extra for our coffee and scone is a definite no no.
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https://www.cairngormmountain.co.uk/plan-your-visit/parking-at-cairngorm/

£2 for day parking . £8 for overnight

Parking Tariffs
The parking fees payable at this car park are as follows:

  • Cars – £2.00
  • Minibuses/Vans – £8.00 (if staying overnight, £2 if visiting during the day)
  • Annual Passes – £25.00
These fees are also displayed on the welcome sign at the entrance to the car park. You are obliged to pay the applicable fee. Please note the following exemptions:

  • Blue Badge Holders
  • Season Pass Holders
  • Emergency or Contractor Vehicles
 
That's good to read but the notice we read in the top car park definitely did not have the bracketed part.
 
ref Stonehenge, they didn't charge when it was first put up, since then, no renovations and they now charge, no logic.

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