NC 500 A residents observations.

Northernraider said:
Its very easybto have a fire and leave no trace ...i do it all the time . I also cook on it
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If they can't leave no mess on a beach after a campfire there's no hope for them. I imagine a campfire is a nice thing to have if tent camping.
 
BusyBuilder said:
Although the tied up bags of rubbish is probably motorhomers.
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That’s another thing I don’t understand.

If we are in the middle of nowhere the bag of rubbish goes in the garage ready to find a bin.
It’s not brain surgery 🤷‍♂️
 
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Please be under no illusions about who is doing all the damage. It is the locals…..

lots of vans in a row on the verge, lots of rubbish and empty wine bottles, etc.
Dog Walker asked them if they would tidy up as they left. ‘Not our rubbish, probably the locals‘
so there you have it. Local sneak up from a village and throw rubbish and black waste in hedges.
 
They have to come down hard on them. More police or ranger patrols at the hotspots. Rental companies must teach the punters how to use and dispose of black waste They don’t even tell them how to get it out of the cassette. I have seen some spend ages just getting the door open. Come down hard on them publicly and with punishment that make people think before dumping. It’s going on before covid but covid just turned it up 1000.
 
fat haggis said:
They have to come down hard on them. More police or ranger patrols at the hotspots. Rental companies must teach the punters how to use and dispose of black waste They don’t even tell them how to get it out of the cassette. I have seen some spend ages just getting the door open. Come down hard on them publicly and with punishment that make people think before dumping. It’s going on before covid but covid just turned it up 1000.
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It isn't anything to do with education or the instructions or lack of them from the hire companies. It is simple decency and having regard for others. I (and everyone else on here) have never had written instructions on not littering, not leaving human faeces on the ground, etc. No one does it because they don't know any better. They do it because they just don't care. Fines would do the trick but it's left to LAs to police and they don't have the resources.
 
phase3begins said:
Please be under no illusions about who is doing all the damage. It is the locals…..

lots of vans in a row on the verge, lots of rubbish and empty wine bottles, etc.
Dog Walker asked them if they would tidy up as they left. ‘Not our rubbish, probably the locals‘
so there you have it. Local sneak up from a village and throw rubbish and black waste in hedges.
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Don't be under any illusions that it ISN'T partly locals. Ive witnessed it with my own eyes on numerous occasions and ive cleaned up after them just as much. Ive also posted many pics of the rubbish left by day visitors at places ive been parked overnight. Teenagers in cars being the worst culprits but just as many of other ages doing the same , coffee cups out the window , takeaway papers , beer cans and bottles , used condoms , wipes , tissue paper you name it ...all left where the were stopped to eat or have sex..


You should see the litter outside the takeaway i work in every night despite there being 3 bins there ...some are discarding the packaging on the floor before theyve even fully got out the door ...with no so much as a backward glance
 
tonyidle said:
It isn't anything to do with education or the instructions or lack of them from the hire companies. It is simple decency and having regard for others. I (and everyone else on here) have never had written instructions on not littering, not leaving human faeces on the ground, etc. No one does it because they don't know any better. They do it because they just don't care. Fines would do the trick but it's left to LAs to police and they don't have the resources.
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Exactly no one ever told me ...i was going camping with friends from age 13 ...often weekends away fishing etc . My parents at that time had never went camping never mind took us ...i learned how to pitch a tent etc through trial and error ...we burried waste and took everything we took with us back home with us.

No one ever showed me how to empty a cassette etc either.

The people who dump this crap dont do ot because they know no better they do it because they dont care ....the same way the locals and day visitors dont care.
 
TerryL said:
I sincerely hope and believe not. I would also expect that those responsible for the damage, human waste, litter etc. are not motorhomers at all - the article mentions campers/tents and of course those are the folk who do not have their own onboard facilities. Unfortunately, although this author doesn't do it, it's all too easy for writers, i.e. the less-informed media, to lump motorhomes/campervans in with everybody else and the fact that we are usually highly visible makes us an easier target. The advent of several wild-camping apps, none of which are at all official, just makes things so much easier for the miscreants and exacerbates the situation.

I have every sympathy for the residents and on our visit to Scotland in a couple of weeks time will do all I can to make sure we are not part of their problem. Yes, the NC500 is guilty of it's own success but I was surprised to learn that it is now a private company rather than a government agency/spinoff so we're back to the old "we're in this for profit" regime. Don't expect much in the way of infrastructure from them whatever they state as their philosophy!

The solution? I'm not going to be popular for this but in my view the law relating to the freedom to wild camp should be repealed and far stricter regulations be introduced and enforced. At the same time take down the "freeloader" apps (you know those I mean) and force genuine visitors to do proper research. A few high-profile court cases would soon make those who are really guilty think again about sullying (or even visiting!) this beautiful part of the UK. If Scots want the benefits of tourism then they must provide the infrastructure that is so obviously needed - if necessary force the "investors" to pay for it or take it back off them. Yes, in the short term it's going to cause havoc but in the longer term would make tourism a much more stable and welcoming "industry".
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When we were there a few weeks ago parked by one of the beautiful bays a ranger came to speak to us. After saying who she was her first question was ‘Is the motorhome yours or is it rented ….. ‘ Make of that what you will.

She had no issue with us being parked where we were (miles from any buildings) and kindly advised us against walking in the dunes behind the next beach we would come to ……
 
This was an eye opening read article.
I for one won’t be doing the N500.
For one, I have a 9m motorhome and it’s no joke having to reverse a mile because someone doesn’t pull in on their passing lay-by because they’re that cheesed off of large motorhomes using their small roads.
Secondly, I’ve now heard and read more negative press than good regarding motorhome tourism up there.
Would the locals really want my business?
I feel not after reading this.
It’s a shame though because for one, I feel that it’s not all motorhome caused. I think it’s a let’s throw a mattress in the back of the van and call it a campervan brigade who are causing much of this.
Why would someone who’s paid £25k upwards for a motorhome want to go breaking branches to make a camp fire?
Plus, where do they go to the toilet?
Then there’s the motor hire companies.
Hire a motorhome to someone who hasn’t fit a clue about any camping etiquette. It’s these that I feel are spoiling it for the rest of us.
The sooner that motorhome and camper van hire is regulated the better. Any by regulated I mean with some simple common sense rules that they forfeit their deposit if they don’t follow them. One of which can be respected the countryside.
It’s a shame because there looks to be some beautiful places to experience up there and yet again the minority are spoiling it.
 
GAVLAD said:
This was an eye opening read article.
I for one won’t be doing the N500.
For one, I have a 9m motorhome and it’s no joke having to reverse a mile because someone doesn’t pull in on their passing lay-by because they’re that cheesed off of large motorhomes using their small roads.
Secondly, I’ve now heard and read more negative press than good regarding motorhome tourism up there.
Would the locals really want my business?
I feel not after reading this.
It’s a shame though because for one, I feel that it’s not all motorhome caused. I think it’s a let’s throw a mattress in the back of the van and call it a campervan brigade who are causing much of this.
Why would someone who’s paid £25k upwards for a motorhome want to go breaking branches to make a camp fire?
Plus, where do they go to the toilet?
Then there’s the motor hire companies.
Hire a motorhome to someone who hasn’t fit a clue about any camping etiquette. It’s these that I feel are spoiling it for the rest of us.
The sooner that motorhome and camper van hire is regulated the better. Any by regulated I mean with some simple common sense rules that they forfeit their deposit if they don’t follow them. One of which can be respected the countryside.
It’s a shame because there looks to be some beautiful places to experience up there and yet again the minority are spoiling it.
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I think you have nailed it well said. 👍👍👍
 
TerryL said:
I sincerely hope and believe not. I would also expect that those responsible for the damage, human waste, litter etc. are not motorhomers at all - the article mentions campers/tents and of course those are the folk who do not have their own onboard facilities. Unfortunately, although this author doesn't do it, it's all too easy for writers, i.e. the less-informed media, to lump motorhomes/campervans in with everybody else and the fact that we are usually highly visible makes us an easier target. The advent of several wild-camping apps, none of which are at all official, just makes things so much easier for the miscreants and exacerbates the situation.

I have every sympathy for the residents and on our visit to Scotland in a couple of weeks time will do all I can to make sure we are not part of their problem. Yes, the NC500 is guilty of it's own success but I was surprised to learn that it is now a private company rather than a government agency/spinoff so we're back to the old "we're in this for profit" regime. Don't expect much in the way of infrastructure from them whatever they state as their philosophy!

The solution? I'm not going to be popular for this but in my view the law relating to the freedom to wild camp should be repealed and far stricter regulations be introduced and enforced. At the same time take down the "freeloader" apps (you know those I mean) and force genuine visitors to do proper research. A few high-profile court cases would soon make those who are really guilty think again about sullying (or even visiting!) this beautiful part of the UK. If Scots want the benefits of tourism then they must provide the infrastructure that is so obviously needed - if necessary force the "investors" to pay for it or take it back off them. Yes, in the short term it's going to cause havoc but in the longer term would make tourism a much more stable and welcoming "industry".
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JEEEEEEEEEEEEEZUS

Needless to say I really really reallyr strongly disagree with the anti-motorhoming attitude of this post.


JJ
 
TerryL said:
I sincerely hope and believe not. I would also expect that those responsible for the damage, human waste, litter etc. are not motorhomers at all - the article mentions campers/tents and of course those are the folk who do not have their own onboard facilities. Unfortunately, although this author doesn't do it, it's all too easy for writers, i.e. the less-informed media, to lump motorhomes/campervans in with everybody else and the fact that we are usually highly visible makes us an easier target. The advent of several wild-camping apps, none of which are at all official, just makes things so much easier for the miscreants and exacerbates the situation.

I have every sympathy for the residents and on our visit to Scotland in a couple of weeks time will do all I can to make sure we are not part of their problem. Yes, the NC500 is guilty of it's own success but I was surprised to learn that it is now a private company rather than a government agency/spinoff so we're back to the old "we're in this for profit" regime. Don't expect much in the way of infrastructure from them whatever they state as their philosophy!

The solution? I'm not going to be popular for this but in my view the law relating to the freedom to wild camp should be repealed and far stricter regulations be introduced and enforced. At the same time take down the "freeloader" apps (you know those I mean) and force genuine visitors to do proper research. A few high-profile court cases would soon make those who are really guilty think again about sullying (or even visiting!) this beautiful part of the UK. If Scots want the benefits of tourism then they must provide the infrastructure that is so obviously needed - if necessary force the "investors" to pay for it or take it back off them. Yes, in the short term it's going to cause havoc but in the longer term would make tourism a much more stable and welcoming "industry".
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A very well written piece I think although it makes sad reading. I disagree with you Terry on one point and that it is unlikely to be motorhomers. I believe the sad truth is that it is in all aspects of our society. In each case the vast majority of us are decent law abiding, friendly and caring people. But in every part of society you get people who just don’t care and unfortunately it’s them that grab the headlines.
We live next to a lovely country park which we walk our dog every day. And it’s enjoyed by a lot of people but every morning there’s a group of wardens and volunteers who have to clean up dog poo, food waste, human waste, baby nappies and it goes on. This despite there being plenty of bins and skips.
I don’t know what we can really do to change this. It’s very sad - and I’m sounding more like my dad every day😂😂
 
Gizmouk said:
The Land Reform Act doesn't need repelling, all that's needed is for folk to actually understand what it means and covers with regards wild camping.
A snippet of the pertinent part:
The Land Reform (Scotland) Act states:
Access rights extend to wild camping. This type of camping is lightweight, done in small numbers and only for two or three nights in any one place. You can camp in this way wherever access rights apply
It doesn't not, and has never applied to motorhomes, campervans or any motorised vehicle

The basics:
www.visitscotland.com

Wild Camping in Scotland - The Best Campsites

The ultimate guide to wild camping in Scotland! Discover the best wild campsites & spots, from Loch Lomond to Shetland, and explore Scotland's right to roam.
www.visitscotland.com www.visitscotland.com


We live in a small fishing village on one of the newly named tourist routes, the SW300. Whilst we haven't been impacted as badly as those living on the NC500, this year has been an eye opener for us, and quite unpleasant.
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I wonder what the legislators thought about where these 'lightweight campers' would perform their toilet functions.

I also wonder why they excluded vehicles with their own toilet facilities.

Geoff
 
WoldsSunlight said:
In the UK as a whole, it is virtually impossible to stop these days for a break in a regular layby without being overwhelmed by the stench of urine in particular.
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Too my shame I used to blame Polish/Romanian truck drivers, they've gone home and it's a lot worse!

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Although some of the problems the locals on the route have experienced are because of the NC500, it is beyond doubt that some of the waste, campfires and litter are the responsibility of campers, other visitors and probably locals too, rather than motorhomers. Before the NC500 was a 'thing' my wife and I toured Scotland a fair bit and around the more popular lochsides there was a significant camping and human waste problem even then. The few bins available were stuffed and in addition huge amounts of rubbish would be left in bags (by the more thoughtful) and not in bags (presumably by those with the same disregard the author describes).
The forced covid 'staycation' last summer was a disaster for many areas, including mine on north Dartmoor where the amount of human excrement and litter was unbelievable. My neighbour was coming down a moorland path towards her home and found an elderly man with his trousers about his ankles relieving himself in full view, his wife stood nearby seemingly unconcerned. So, it's not just the Highlands affected. However, the law of unforeseen consequences has clearly made the claims by those who introduced the NC500 risible in the eyes of the affected residents.
 
WoldsSunlight said:
In the UK as a whole, it is virtually impossible to stop these days for a break in a regular layby without being overwhelmed by the stench of urine in particular.
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Even worse on motorway services if you park on the truck parking area. A short walk to the toilet but some of the drivers prefer to use the ground.
 
Whilst I have every sympathy for the locals on the NC 500, it's the same in most of the country (and towns). Unfortunately there's a lot of scummy people around. Saw this today on BBC News site, not the first time there's been a report like this, and won't be the last.

www.bbc.co.uk

Snowdon: Call to respect mountain amid spike in visitors

Litter, erosion and traffic put "significant pressure" on the mountain, says Snowdonia Society.
www.bbc.co.uk

As has been pointed out, there is a common misunderstanding about wild camping in Scotland - it isn't and never was intended for people using vehicles, of any sort. But people do it in the rest of the UK, as we all know. There's getting to be an issue at our local beach here in west Wales, there are often up to 7 camper vans/motor caravans in the car park, despite a (rather old) notice saying it's not allowed. One is a school minibus, which has been there for weeks, with toilet tent, awning, general clutter and generator. Bit of a nerve is an understatement. Worry is there is talk of putting up a height barrier which could stop us and others using our 'van for a day visit.
 
I find the apparent behaviour of the many who are abandoning their mess at complete odds with the likely environmental save the planet credentials that those who seek the outdoors are likely to have. Is it just a lemming syndrome that because somebody before them has done it wrong it's OK for them to also do it wrong? There may be complaints about the lack of infrastructure, but surely that is the point, that you are going to areas where there isn't much and should be prepared for that?

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We're off this evening to do the NC500 so this was a very interesting read. We've been having similar issues down here in Dorset. Durdle Door has become a mecca unfortunately. A local was telling us that there was a film made saying eternal life was gai ed by watching the sunset or sunrise through the Door and that is why we have been inundated with visitors who belong to a particular religion . Won't mention it by name as I'll probably get banned but I'm not exaggerating. We've only been 3 times since lockdown was eased last year and it was heartbreaking because even though there are toilets ul at the top, the surrounding countryside, the cliff edge the beach was just foul. They were all in huge crowds pushing each other right by the cliff edge. We left because it was actually dangerous. Cars were parked for miles on the way in on verges, over peoples drives. No one was dressed for the walk down the the Door either. Flimsy shoes etc and clearly they had no experience of the countryside or steep cliffs . One poor elderly lady was on the verge of collapse due to the fact she clearly wasn't used to climbing such steep cliffs but her family were trying to drag there to see the sunset.
Lockdown has really changed our countryside. But all we can do is just carry on being the responsible ones, I guess. We've seen lots of the 'mattress in the back of a van' brigade and the worry always is that they don't have a toilet. They park in all the places we take the dog locally.
 
So it's very clear what we need is Education not Banning everything when there is a problem, of course this would be a huge task, we still see people (oddly enough mostly young mothers) with two children in the car talking on a mobile phone, the crazy thing is they are driving a brand new Range Rover or similar which must have Hands Free facilities.

Education and respect for what isn't theirs is the way forward which surely must start at home.
 
Googlebot said:
Again, the problem wasn’t tents, it’s people and their lack of thought and respect.
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Well said, it's such a shame that the minority have to tarnish the good folk in any form of hobby/way of life/interests etc.....
 
The NC 500 is not something to "do" it is a made up name for some roads, there are others, in a beautiful scenic part of the UK and the area should be enjoyed at leisure.
We have toured this region in caravan, motorhome and car for over 40 years.
We are currently at BIL house outside Beauly, he also has a motorhome and is more than reluctant to use it in an area that he has lived, worked and toured in for over 45 years.
The promotion of this "route" has ruined an area of natural beauty in his opinion and mine.

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