Sutherland councillors agree motorhomes and campervans should be banned from parking overnight in council-owned car parks.

[Jim]

Sutherland councillors agree motorhomes and campervans should be banned from parking overnight in council-owned car parks in the county​

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By Caroline McMorran - caroline.mcmorran@hnmedia.co.uk.
Published: 19:00, 17 February 2025 | Updated: 07:05, 18 February 2025

Members of Sutherland County Committee have unanimously agreed that motorhome and campervan users should be banned from parking overnight in council-owned car parks owned in the county.

A motion proposed by Cllr Richard Gale and seconded by Cllr Jim McGillivray was backed by their colleagues at a meeting in Drummuie, Golspie, today.

However, the county committee does not have the power to impose such a ban, and Cllr Gale’s motion will have to be agreed at a meeting of the full Highland Council.

Highland Council currently allows motorhome and campervan users to park overnight in designated car parks, including Shore Street in Golspie and in Durness.

Cllr Gale said he had been “bombarded” with emails from local residents complaining about the situation at Shore Street.

“Sometimes there are up to 12 motorhomes and campervans there, often parking in the disabled bay,” he said. “And bear in mind, there is a privately run campervan site only about 500 yards away on the edge of Golspie village.

“This is just one example. I know that there are problems elsewhere, and this is what has motivated me to bring this motion forward.”

Cllr Gale added that there was a precedent for such a ban. He said he had been in Carrbridge recently and noticed that there was a sign in the council car park saying no overnight parking from 10pm to 8am.

Cllr Jim McGillivray told the meeting: “The situation in Golspie is very much mirrored in Dornoch, where the beach car park, despite having a sign, still attracts a number of motorhomes and campervans. Dornoch Caravan and Camping Park is sited just a short distance away.”

He said he was unhappy that the authority was using public money to compete unfairly with private camping and caravan parks.

Cllr Hugh Morrison, Durness, said: “There is an invitation to pay car park in the centre of Durness next to the campsite. It is full overnight from mid-April to mid-October, and there are no waste facilities, no running water, nothing at all.

“It has been causing a problem for Durness Community Council for a year now.

“There are people in Durness who are trying to make a living from campsites. People are spending money to make them attractive for campervan users.”

Cllr Michael Baird asked whether a ban would result in motorhomes and campervans parking in laybys, to which Cllr Gale replied: “We have to focus on dealing with things within our sphere of influence, and as far as our area is concerned, campervans using car parks is something we can influence.

https://www.northern-times.co.uk/ne...-agree-motorhomes-and-campervans-shoul-374709

 

[Phill D]

How many stay more than overnight? And there is no mention of any litter or disrespecting the environment.
wonder if Their mate owns the campsite,
as to parking in the disabled area, have they confirmed that the offending motorhome owner was not entitled.

 

[15edward]

And campsite only open March - October

 

[bigtwin]

And campsite only open March - October

Exactly this! The very vocal owners of the Dornich site (who want it to be mandatory for MHs to stay on licenced sites) are only open part of the year. You couldn’t make it up!

Ian

 

[Gellyneck]

Whilst not supporting the ban it doesn't surprise me having seen the attitude / behaviour of a number of motorhomers at both mentioned locations. I'm surprised they didn't also mention the car park at Dunnet Bay.

Maximum 24 hours stay and no return within 72 being abused, parking across multiple bays thereby preventing others from parking, sneaking onto the local sites to try and use facilities, leaving the local public facilities in a state after (attempting) emptying their cassettes down the wc's, etc, etc.

Exactly this! The very vocal owners of the Dornich site (who want it to be mandatory for MHs to stay on licenced sites) are only open part of the year. You couldn’t make it up!

Ian

However, they also had to put "bollards" up at their entrance to stop folk, including motorhomes, from parking on their area of flat grass despite there being an overflow car park a couple of hundreds yards passed this.

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[BusyBuilder]

They could install an aire with the usual machine/equipment and make some money, but they can't see past their own noses.

 

[Stoosal]

It’s even more of a twisted plot when you realise that the Dornoch site is owned by…..Highland Council…..and leased to a private company for use as …..a caravan site!

So councillors voting to close off parking in car parks for motorhomes so that they need to use the business they lease the site to?

 

[bigtwin]

They could install an aire with the usual machine/equipment and make some money, but they can't see past their own noses.

Indeed!

Ian

 

[Taran_Las]

Everytime I've been to Goldspie car park there was only one van in the campervan area. I haven't stayed overnight though.

 

[Gellyneck]

They could install an aire with the usual machine/equipment and make some money, but they can't see past their own noses.

Indeed!

Ian

Golspie and Dunnet both have machines for payment but whether folk actually put money in them?
Think it's £15 for 24 hours.

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[bigtwin]

Golspie and Dunnet both have machines for payment but whether folk actually put money in them?
Think it's £15 for 24 hours.

My recollection was that both of those car parks were part of the HC scheme (that included access to leisure centre showers) for a permit that lasted one week, or have I got that wrong?

Ian

 

[Gellyneck]

My recollection was that both of those car parks were part of the HC scheme (that included access to leisure centre showers) for a permit that lasted one week, or have I got that wrong?

Ian

Didn't know there was a leisure centre near Dunnet Bay but could be wrong? You have to cross the car park to get into the C&MC site where they have a significant problem with "non-members" trespassing.

There are certainly signs at both stating 24 hours maximum stay.

 

[Just smiffy]

So if your staying at a friends/relatives house there over night and parking a empty motorhome in the carpark you’ll get find… will they be banning cars too or fining someone sleeping in their car…

 

[nicholsong]

Didn't know there was a leisure centre near Dunnet Bay but could be wrong? You have to cross the car park to get into the C&MC site where they have a significant problem with "non-members" trespassing.

There are certainly signs at both stating 24 hours maximum stay.

The HC scheme mentions that one has free access to any leisure centre adjacent to one of the scheme CPs but advises that not all have them.

 

[Gellyneck]

The HC scheme mentions that one has free access to any leisure centre adjacent to one of the scheme CPs but advises that not all have them.

Didn't think I had heard of one at Dunnet.
Not sure if there is at Golspie or Dornoch.

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[Bobby dazzler]

Ah thank goodness for my passport and Tesco clubcard card vouchers bye bye UK of to Europe again this year.

 

[CazPaul]

We stayed at the Golspie car park, paid by card, lovely location with sea view right in the centre, spent money at the butchers, Co-op, chippy and a couple of shops, there’s a nice charity shop just opposite the car park.
Do they not take into account these councillors how much money is brought into the economy by that car park, another van stated same night as us and also spent plenty in the town.
That camping Golspie site is uneven, expensive and just not attractive at all.

We would have drove straight on but for the parking in the centre.

 

[Bobby dazzler]

When it becomes unfeasible for me to get aboard with the motorhome it will be driven to a scrap yard the UK gets worse every year. No point in having a motorhome just for UK travel

 

[Bobby dazzler]

We stayed at the Golspie car park, paid by card, lovely location with sea view right in the centre, spent money at the butchers, Co-op, chippy and a couple of shops, there’s a nice charity shop just opposite the car park.
Do they not take into account these councillors how much money is brought into the economy by that car park, another van stated same night as us and also spent plenty in the town.
That camping Golspie site is uneven, expensive and just not attractive at all.

We would have drove straight on but for the parking in the centre.

Nope they don't care same as Lincoln banning over night stops at the lawns. And suggesting local campsites.

 

[Just smiffy]

Why anyone wants to stay in a place where they don’t even want your money is beyond me…

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[monzer]

Plenty little pop up places up that way, the honesty box type of thing. Still leaves the issue of services though.

 

[bigtwin]

Didn't know there was a leisure centre near Dunnet Bay

There isn’t.

Didn't think I had heard of one at Dunnet.
Not sure if there is at Golspie or Dornoch.

You seem to be missing the point.

Those car parks are part of the scheme introduced by the Highland Council.

The HC scheme mentions that one has free access to any leisure centre adjacent to one of the scheme CPs but advises that not all have them.

As nicholsong says, the scheme also provides access to leisure centre showers. There is no suggestion that the locations are adjacent.

Ian

 

[Gellyneck]

There isn’t.

You seem to be missing the point.

Those car parks are part of the scheme introduced by the Highland Council.



As nicholsong says, the scheme also provides access to leisure centre showers. There is no suggestion that the locations are adjacent.

Ian

There seems to be some confusion around adjacent or not?
Anyway not really sure where access to leisure centres comes into the equation of restricting access to overnight parking?

 

[PaddyM]

When it becomes unfeasible for me to get aboard with the motorhome it will be driven to a scrap yard the UK gets worse every year. No point in having a motorhome just for UK travel

What a load of tosh . We love touring in our motorhome in the UK all year round . It’s fabulous .

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

And when the traveler fraternity park up wherever they want, which brave soul will give them a parking ticket I don't think so they (the council) turn up with any facilities they require

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[EuroTrotters]

We love Scotland. We used to drive up as teenagers back in the day.

Loved renting statics when the children were younger.

Then, 20+ years ago when we first started motorhomung. Ski trips in winter. Going over to Islay and staying in a friends garden.

We don’t go anymore.

Ruined by culmination of bad behaviour often the younger generation, but no limited to them.

So many people buying , renting or converting.

Angry locals .

Bad planning from the tourists board and local councils.

Doubling of Ferry ticket prices.

It’s not cheap either. It’s cheaper and easier for us to get a ferry and go to the continent .

I do miss it some times, but there are plants of other places to see.

Islay in summer below

 

[MisterB]

I have never attempted the NC 500 and it's not really on my agenda, but it seems that if the site had a cassette cleaning machine that you see in the continent, then at least they could charge for anyone using their facilities, or lock it off somehow if it really is being abused.
Are there pub/cafe/restaurant stops in the area?

 

[PaddyM]

.

 

[TDub49]

Sutherland councillors agree motorhomes and campervans should be banned from parking overnight in council-owned car parks in the county​

---

By Caroline McMorran - caroline.mcmorran@hnmedia.co.uk.
Published: 19:00, 17 February 2025 | Updated: 07:05, 18 February 2025

Members of Sutherland County Committee have unanimously agreed that motorhome and campervan users should be banned from parking overnight in council-owned car parks owned in the county.

A motion proposed by Cllr Richard Gale and seconded by Cllr Jim McGillivray was backed by their colleagues at a meeting in Drummuie, Golspie, today.

However, the county committee does not have the power to impose such a ban, and Cllr Gale’s motion will have to be agreed at a meeting of the full Highland Council.

View attachment 1015398

Highland Council currently allows motorhome and campervan users to park overnight in designated car parks, including Shore Street in Golspie and in Durness.

Cllr Gale said he had been “bombarded” with emails from local residents complaining about the situation at Shore Street.

“Sometimes there are up to 12 motorhomes and campervans there, often parking in the disabled bay,” he said. “And bear in mind, there is a privately run campervan site only about 500 yards away on the edge of Golspie village.

“This is just one example. I know that there are problems elsewhere, and this is what has motivated me to bring this motion forward.”

Cllr Gale added that there was a precedent for such a ban. He said he had been in Carrbridge recently and noticed that there was a sign in the council car park saying no overnight parking from 10pm to 8am.

Cllr Jim McGillivray told the meeting: “The situation in Golspie is very much mirrored in Dornoch, where the beach car park, despite having a sign, still attracts a number of motorhomes and campervans. Dornoch Caravan and Camping Park is sited just a short distance away.”

He said he was unhappy that the authority was using public money to compete unfairly with private camping and caravan parks.

Cllr Hugh Morrison, Durness, said: “There is an invitation to pay car park in the centre of Durness next to the campsite. It is full overnight from mid-April to mid-October, and there are no waste facilities, no running water, nothing at all.

“It has been causing a problem for Durness Community Council for a year now.

“There are people in Durness who are trying to make a living from campsites. People are spending money to make them attractive for campervan users.”

Cllr Michael Baird asked whether a ban would result in motorhomes and campervans parking in laybys, to which Cllr Gale replied: “We have to focus on dealing with things within our sphere of influence, and as far as our area is concerned, campervans using car parks is something we can influence.

https://www.northern-times.co.uk/ne...-agree-motorhomes-and-campervans-shoul-374709

Do I detect a certain degree of outraged entitlement amongst some of the replies? You abuse, you lose as they say and for every "decent" motorhomer who is careful to support local business and respect facilities there are how many that just take the urine?

 

[CazPaul]

Do I detect a certain degree of outraged entitlement amongst some of the replies? You abuse, you lose as they say and for every "decent" motorhomer who is careful to support local business and respect facilities there are how many that just take the urine?

Not all all, we live in the moors and every time it’s people in cars leaving litter over, dumping stuff, using the moors as toilets, nicking the rock salt at the side of the road, I see it week in week out, leaving trash after their picnics, I’m sick of going out picking up pop bottles, McDonald’s cartons, cans cans cans, rubbish rubbish rubbish
Seen it in Scotland too, the parking area right at the top where the zip wire is, car pulled up, 2 got out and ran up the hill with a toilet roll each, motorhomers will no doubt have been blamed for that.

Where is the campaign against car drivers up here on the Teesdale moors, there isn’t one, that’s because motorhomers are an easy target.

Let’s ban car drivers and encourage more motorhomes

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