Are Campervans Still Welcome in Scotland?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- #camping #campervans #ebikes
If you relied solely on what you read on social media then it would seem that every Scot is prejudiced against campervans and motorhomes and will do anything to make you feel unwelcome. The reality is very different. Scotland welcomes RESPONSIBLE campervanners and motorhomers and a lot of work is going on at the moment to create a much better infrastructure for overnight park-ups. However, we are asked to observe a few common-sense rules...
I'm based in the Scottish Highlands and I use a VW campervan to access the great outdoors, where I climb hills, ride my e-bike or gravel bike and just visit some of those places I've never been to. I've been climbing hills and mountains all over the world for 50 years and I'm a former editor of Climber Magazine and The Great Outdoors Magazine.
Scottish Access Legislation
www.outdooraccess-scotland.com
CAMpRA UK Ltd
www.campra.org.uk
Forestry & Land Scotland Stay The Night
www.forestryandland.gov.scot
Part4Night
www.park4night.com
Search For Sites
www.searchforsites.co.uk
Brilliant. I'm in total agreement. I'm not a camper vanner but I wildcamp. I live by the Leave No Trace rule. I respect where I am, the place and also the residents. Its such a shame and it saddens me that a minority don't follow this. We can all do our bit. I don't blame locals for trying to stop it. Its their home we must all respect it. Great video very informative 👏 👍
hi Cameron. thanks for the thoughts. As a camper van owner for many years one of my main concerns are the Rental Companies who rent vans out to people who first of all have never driven van of such a size and are not given proper instruction on how to use the systems in the van or have any appreciation of the countryside code or appropriate behavior. For instance at a site in Glen Coe. A new van turned up already short of a wing mirror. I spoke to the eldery American couple . They had hired the van for 3 days. Intended to complete the NC 500. They did not even know how to plug in the electric or turn the gas on! They also did not even have a map.I could go on... They should have been evaluated of their ability to be responsible for the vehicle before being let loose by the rental company.
Just back from Sutherland and I get up and travel at 4am totally light and no traffic (none) a great time to see deer and sunrises!
My daughter and I just got back from Scotland a couple of weeks ago. As a Scot two things upset me. Number 1, At a popular site on the Isle of Skye I overheard the owner of camper van complain because he had to pay a parking fee. Well my answer to that is simple, if you payed a visit say to the Old Man of Storr and found the parking area full of inconsiderate campervanners who had decided to park up for a week and there was no space for you, you would not be happy. Number 2. On the way back from Skye to Edinburgh my daughter and I stopped of to admire a perfect view. What was the first thing that meet my eye when I opened the car door. Yip, someone had just stopped some time before to check the view, but before leaving, emptied their vehicle of about a weeks worth of rubbish. We Sots are a friendly people, we enjoy sharing our wonderful country. All we ask is just a little respect
Well said Cameron, and I totally agree. Once again its the peope who dont give a s**t who spoilt it for the rest if us. We regularly have to clear up our overnight park ups when we arrive, as apart from doing our bit to continue the good will, if we didn't you can be sure someone would report us for leaving the mess as we drove off🤷. If we cannot educate the minority we run the risk of losing these beautiful places to park up in the future. Keep up the great videos. 🙂👍
Hello Cameron we’re new to your channel and i must say totally agree with you, We’ve been coming to Scotland for over fifty years camping/ caravaning/ and small Motorhome for last ten years and all ways use small sites or off grid were it’s quite and always use local communities and local shops , We keep well clear of these over priced sites We also use Aires and contribute to the owners now in in our seventies still come to Scotland for a month every year from Yorkshire and where ever we camp never leave any trace which is so nice to do. Thankyou Chris⛰️
Good points there Cameron . Having only recently converted a van to camper , it seems to be even harder than it was in the tent to be spontaneous and head off for the weekend to a campsite, they are booked well in advance, it’s a shame but I don’t mind sharing Scotland with tourists. I have the necessary .. facilities to park up anywhere so it doesn’t stop me heading off, I usually use the park up app for a guide.
We have a space outside our exit gate so larger vehicles can turn more easily into the lane.
"Wild" campers use it.
No probs if they pull well in .
Surprised how many £90k camper vanners shit in a bucket and chuck it out on the "layby" in the morning.
Just subscribed on the basis of this one video. Exceptional & thank you for thevery soundadvice.
Thanks Cameron, just back from a lovely CL near Elgin. If you just want a basic quite site, CLs are great value. I do like mixing my off grid camping also, inverness also has a nice 1 night stopover near the canals for a £10 , no return for 72 hours if memory serves me.
The issue is causing 1 or 2 miles of tailbacks and congestion on roads such as the A82/A87 or A9 and the driver knowing they are causing huge tailbacks and not occasionally pulling over into lay-bys to let the traffic clear. Many campervan drivers are courteous but not all and it’s those folks that cause frustration and anger on the roads.
Thank you so much for a very informative and reassuring article. We can’t wait.
Living myself on the Moray Coast in a small fishing town I agree completely with you. I dint mind Camper vans (I own one myself since more than 20 years). But like you said, when you find a small jewel to park over night it’s ok, but leave space for locals. If there are visibly only 7 spaces and there are already 5 squished in with there 7m campers, just move in and don’t squish on yourself. I don’t even get that “snuggly” Camping that you barely can open your own doors and can even hear the neighbour breathing.
Like he said, be reasonable and take in consideration that there are also locals using that places. Also don’t make them to public that after you the numbers are even rise up to the sky because you told everyone about these little gems on Instagram, Facebook and Co.
Often it ends up that the council builds up barriers for height and width which makes it impossible to enter such places. I think that’s not necessary when campers would be more responsible
Interesting video … Although Scotland is high on my wishlist this makes me wonder, am I welcome? I would hate to annoy locals ánd I want to feel welcome when visiting an area of land. I also get the impression there aren’t enough places to sleep of service in Scotland. Add to that the expensive campsites and I may need to rethink and die without seeing Scotland 😢
Oh dear, my video wasn’t meant to be negative. Having said that the UK in general is now very expensive for a holiday. I think you’d find most Scots people to be very welcoming.
@@CameronMcNeishOutdoors I really hope so. I can understand it is not always great in high season when it gets busy and crowded, but most campers do spend money, in shops, bars, sightseeing etc. And isn’t it a great compliment when they all come to see your part of the world. There’s misbehavior everywhere, not just with camperowners. And I guess that is what is bothering me about vlogs like yours 😉 But for now I’ll keep Scotland on my list. But it won’t be in high season 😂👍🏻
We'll be travelling in scotland in our motorhome from mid july till mid august. Other than what you describe in the video, are there any initiatives we can support either by donation or labor? You mention something about a litter program, but I can't seem to find specific details on that.
Thanks for the video, and we'll do our best to keep up good spirits for the community :) Cheers from Denmark
No litter programme as such but many campervanners now carry a litter pick up which you can get on Amazon and clear up any litter that may be in car parks, lay buys or stop-offs. This makes campervanners into a force for good and is often appreciated locally.
I visited Scotland in April by train and found it a bit hostile to tourists anyway. Excessively expensive, rarely polite or welcoming. This is strange as tourism aparently provides a hughe income for them. This said, this will not hold me back to go back next year but then with my overland Jeep. And all what you say applies to other countries as well. Be stealthy and carefull, don't harm anybody. Btw. the Scotts drive like crazy , every Road seams to be a race track, lol
We simply cannot take the sheer numbers but we do welcome visitors. But sadly we have had our lives made hell because of some who do just such things as emptying human waste , through out litter as well. Park up on private land, block up private entrances. Even when they do not park up on proper sites there are some free park up places but they do not use them. One of the worst things is travelling in convoys on single track roads with passing places . On one occasion there were 24 of these in convoy. It has sadly become out of control but it was not to bad before Covid lockdown but since It has often become impossible for local people to go about there everyday business. I ask would you like your private garden used as a toilet & having to clear up after these dreadful people. We do welcome visitors but sadly the good ones who appreciate our countryside are having it spoilt by a number of those who have no regard for others. On one occasion I had to call the Police & lock myself in my own home as a horrible man objected to me telling him my private garden was not a park up place . He got out and chased me. & I am a very old age pensioner.
A fine video Cameron. I have been visiting Scotland for well over 50 years and mostly camping or rental properties. Did 3 weeks in a rental motor home once. ( and really enjoyed it very much) Aires should be the way forward. Responsibility is what it’s all about. Thanks for your post.
Pay a small yearly subscription to either the local Scottish Forestry Commission or National Trust of Scotland to recieve free overnight Parking Bay's set up for Holiday Camping Vans or Car's...all of which would have a summer live in Overseer checking the area.
These two Commissions do so much to keep our Lands and Forests beautiful and safe therefore they deserve a yearly subscription fee...not some Private Company or Landowner profiteering by charging £15 a night just because they have spare Land.
Privitisation in Scotland is killing Public Services.
No one would object to paying a small yearly fee to those who actually work their buts off keeping our Land beautiful.
Support the Scottish Forestry commission or National Trust of Scotland...become a member. 👍🏴
Agree with everything you say, and absolutely disgusting tipping your waste into a river, we should leave that to the professionals who do it on an industrial scale and not a word.
Its a pity for the responsible, but there are just too many motorhome/campervans coming now, for rural roads.
Please Motorhomers/Campervaners remember to pull over and let working people passed to get on with their days work, remember your on holiday and have plenty time to drive slowly to your destination enjoying the scenery, but we are working or delivering goods on a timescale.
Stop emptying your toilets behind layby bins, leaving full bin bags of soiled nappies and waste food and plastics it stinks.
Rant Over.
Fcking brilliant am Scottish aye travel all over our beautiful country with hidden cctv outside my van aswell as wearing night vision camara two catch there reg plate aswell as the offence been done.... respect the land as u see it # u stopped in that spot cos in your head was beautiful spot leave that way for the next one,s please u don't want cctv over the Internet with reg photo of you ? Happy camping @ caravan in Scotland
Good video, we come to Scotland every year, we wild camp in our self build motorhome, after spending a fortune on it to be off grid I want to be free to being just that, off grid.
We respect everywhere we go amd only camp where we feel we are allowed to.
We never have a camp fire as we have our own deisel heating.
The reason I enjoy wildcamping is because of the crazy unrealistic prices some campsites want to charge, I know of some that try to charge £50 a night.
Scotland is beautiful, and we love being there.
As always, when you hear of people dumping thier waste on the side of the roads just remember it is the minority of scum that do this, not people that love the country side.
I see rubbish everywhere and can only assume it to be day trippers, we have a bin and we use it.
Its such a shame that the idiots of the world dont understand that they only ruin it for themselves as well as others who care.
We always shop local to where we are, the reason being is the variety and service, I love chatting with the locals as I know I can learn a thing or 2 about the area I am exploring.
I once found out we could go haggis hunting, but we were out of season at the time 😂.
www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/file/23767/enjoying_the_highlands_in_your_motorhome_or_campervan
Loving your videos Cameron, thanks. One question...we start a 10 day trip on 1st Nov. I hear a lot of sites close over winter - do you think we'll have a problem finding places to stay? We're hoping to mainly free camp with a few nights at official campgrounds. Coming from Australia so your advice would be much appreciated. Thanks Gilly.
Yes, the vast majority of campsites close over winter in Scotland but I don't think you'll have too many problems finding overnight parking areas. Check out the apps, Search for Sites or Park4 Night. You'll find these really helpful.
@@CameronMcNeishOutdoors thanks! Appreciate your response.
Many "sites" on the apps park4night & search for sites are private property so are not suitable for overnight stays in MH/CV's so use with care.
They are even erecting awnings on the caravans it is virtually impossible to park a car in the Loch Lomond area it won't be long before it's banned the sooner the better try parking on top of Applecross pass in a car . And no I don't live there I'm not a passed off local I live in the westmidlands I haven't been to the Highlands for five years I usually went every year not anymore .
With all due respect, if you haven't been to the highlands for five years how do you know what the state of play is?
I can’t disagree with anything you say. Having traveled the western isles on a couple of occasions I have been surprised by the number of campers that do not know of the facilities at sea terminals. Fresh water grey and black waste disposal and bins for rubbish. On Barra water is available at the airport and Vatersay village hall as well as the sea terminals. I haven’t traveled the NC500 yet as it is far too busy, but I will in good time. I just hope the welcome is as good as the islands.
Sadly not so welcomed now. There’s a petition going round about MHs parking at Luskentyre cemetary and a lady who lost her husband very recently couldn’t park at the cemetery to go to her husband grave. She’s a local and trouble has erupted. MH owners are causing a lot of trouble at the moment because they all want to park for free and there’s now huge numbers coming over. Too many for a small island. Taking up 4 places in a tiny supermarket carpark for hours got 1600 comments supporting the MH and abusing the locals. It’s so sad
Are you employed by the Scottish Tourist Board now? I thought you were pan breid 😊
My thoughts are most campervan owners act responsibly, maybe people that hire campers, and there’s a lot in Scotland, aren’t informed of such protocols?
Indeed Cameron, wise words, The few ruining it for the many. When walking I always have a carrier bag to collect other peoples rubbish 😤🤬
I think the lack of facilities in the UK is down to ignorance of councils to the benifits & the aim to discourage roma travellers!
It’s time to bring in a system of payment like Canada has for National parks these funds could be used by local authorities to provide Aires with power supplies grey water and sewage disposal this won’t happen overnight however we’ve got to start somewhere.
In my local area Dunblane Sheriff Muir local car parks are regularly used by nothing more than white builders vans for overnight stay with no grey water or sewage facilities so where does this go?
Don’t get me wrong I admire Cameron’s input into The Scottish environment however the growth in campervan/ motorhome has been exponential since the pandemic and I don’t see this changing so some more of regulation is required to safeguard the environment and channel funding to provide proper facilities.
We have natural beauty spots which must be safeguarded if your unwilling to pay a nominal overnight fee then don’t overnight in Scotland
Agree with you on most of the points Cameron. Well said. However, the point on campervans not leaving their parking space early in the morning i don’t. Dog owners or walkers don’t have any more rights than the campers when it comes to parking spaces. After all, these walkers/dog owners have a lot more freedom to go wherever and whenever they like compared to people in campervans. There are as many irresponsible dog owners who leave their plastic bags with dog waste in them hanging on trees or beside a pathway rather than take it to a bin or home. If someone has decided to park up overnight in a carpark in Scotland you have to assume it was through desperation and/or tiredness rather than choice. 👍
i agree about the "moving on by 7am" thing - dog walkers or walkers wanting to park don't have extra special rights/entitlement. I'm also not too keen on this idea that people living in these areas have greater entitlement either. they bought a house there perhaps? well, they own the house and garden, but not the local countryside. anyone can visit.
@cameronmcneishoutdoors Well said and explained
Probably yes if they are German or Dutch as those are everywhere in Scotland.........
Sorry Cameron but the issue of over tourism is ducked here. Perhaps time to work out the carrying capacity of highland areas and restrict numbers accordingly with a permit system. If present numbers are unsustainable - and many would argue that they are - then all are part of the problem, and the "don't tar us all with the same brush" argument fails.
Yes, I appreciate your point but don’t believe the permit system can work. What kind of tourist do you want to restrict? Would busloads of cruise tourists need a permit? How about those visiting relatives? More and more people will want to visit Scotland in coming years to escape the heat/wildfires etc of the south. Many of those folk will want to move here. Greater brains than mine will need to come up with workable solutions.
I should add only certain areas of Scotland are oversubscribed. The NC500, Skye, Aviemore. Many lovely areas are actually quiet- Galloway, Kintyre, the Moray Coast, and more. We need to stop promoting the over-subscribed areas and encourage folk to visit alternative areas. And is it wise to have a World Cycling Championships in the middle of the Scottish tourist season? Or music festivals or the Edinburgh Fringe? These are all real overcrowding issues that few seem concerned about.
I understand permit systems are used in USA national and state parks for example and seem to work. These impact not only on motorhomes but also limit numbers of hikers as well in environmentally sensitive areas.
We're looking forward to our camper holiday in Scotland but as Aussie Outdoor Educators we also understand the human filth that can destroy our precious ecosystems, and how that results in governments locking places away for good.
Hopefully the police and community crackdown on the wankers that ruin it for everyone else because over here it's unfortunately not openly accepted anymore.
Hope we don’t get to the point where we see tourists getting attacked and targeted like they are currently being in Spain. I know it can be an annoyance in the peak months, but many places are only still surviving because of those “annoying” tourists coming and spending lots of money.
There are lots of issues when people take camper vans around Scotland. Bad driving, slow driving, bad parking, dangerous parking, litter and rubbish dumped in lay-bys, toilets being emptied into rivers and lochs as well as at the side of the road. The sense of entitlement is palpable from many van drivers. The constant “ well we spend money in the local economy” excuse. No you don’t. You look for cheap takeaways or cook in your van. Then all they seem to do is complain about having to pay for parking, overnight or during the day. They all seem to do everything they can to not spend money locally. If you don’t have a good experience then don’t come back. It’s simple really.
@@colgra1100 All those issues you quote can also be laid at the door of people driving cars, and I include local highlanders in that as well as tourists. Are you a campervan driver? If not how do you know campervan owners don’t spend money? I use my campervan most weeks and seem to spend a lot of time in shops, petrol stations, pubs and restaurants. I live in the highlands and it’s not just campervan owners that cause issues yet they are the ones constantly discriminated against.
Nicola sturgeon has a camper van 👍🏻
"Had" a motorhome. Think it's still in police custody!!!
@@CameronMcNeishOutdoors 😂😂😂😂
No. Please keep them out. They don’t use their mirrors. They don’t pull in to let vehicles behind them pass maybe one in ten does. The drivers are self centred or ignorant. So keep them out.
I've just returned from a month in Germany and France where campervanners are welcomed. Never experienced any negativity at all. What is it about the UK that makes people like the above so vindictive and ill-informed?
Shame they can’t take the camper vans/ Motorhome and compound them fine them and they have to attend a course in correct way to act when in a camper/ Motorhome , like when you get done for speeding .Then a record is made and repeat offenders have their campervan / Motorhome taken off them .
Of course not...if the SNP cannot own one no one else can ..by order Nicola...uhh who is that knocking on my door
There's thousands of tonnes of human waste dumped in to the North Sea. Wot difference dose the odd turd make in a stream 😂
Well said, and people not picking up after their dogs at picturesque campervan stop overs infuriates me.
I agree , immediately after Lockdown there were a lot of unsavoury You Tubers meeting up at Ayr on the roadside , and did as you have just mentioned.
He came away straight back down to Gretna disgusted , saying he was unprepared to contract C19 . Pretty immediately afterwards there was a C19 outbreak at Ayr. VW owners can be the worst type of offenders. Elitist in a VW Appreciation Club for expensive VW,s , having paid so much for their VW they can’t afford to pay £20 a night to park on a Campsite (contributing ) to the Scottish economy . The VW owners have a tendency to park away from others even if they do pay for a night . You make some good points. And it’s not just about hygiene but attitude too.
What’s the difference between dog shit and human shit? Why let your dog do it when you yourself would be too embarrassed? to do it there yourself.
It’s nothing to do with a badge! We’re VW owners, we consider ourselves very responsible. Please don’t tar everyone with the same brush.
@@xvsupremacy7190 on another thread we have a VW owner blaming motorhomes, now we have this half wit blaming VW owners. When will you lot wake up, smell the the coffee, and realise that you are all on the same bus. We are all being treated badly by the media, certain councils, and by some members of the public, regardless of wether you drive an A class or a VW camper.
That should be any where ,If your Dog Shits pick it up
I do understand why people in Scotland are getting pissed of , some peoples behavior is disgusting .
We in Scotland had a massive problem with litter and fly tipping long before the current campervan fad. One layby near Grantown On Spey even had old TVs and washing machines dumped in it. I very much doubt tourists were responsible for that.
@@wildfisher I witnessed fly tipping on the struie near Ardgay in broad daylight , it was a written van from a welding company in invergordon. It does happen here but nothing compared to down south, biggest problem is people throwing litter out on the side of the road doing the NC 500.
I stopped at the head of St Mary's Loch for a night. Should've been a nice stop but the volume of cars with anglers, families enjoying a camp fire and swimming meant it was very noisy. When we awoke in the morning we took the dog a walk along the nearby trail. It was disgusting. All along the tree line you could see toilet paper where people had been crapping. All over the flat area you could see numerous fire pits, disposable BBQs, broken chairs, tables, tents some of which had also been thrown on fires. We spent a couple of hours bagging as much waste as we could but then noticed the area was actually on some "plastic waffle" matting for some engineering connected to the weir. This has been melted and damaged. Won't be long before this area gets gated to stop access. We also went to a site at Cape Wrath and a huge hire motorhome parked up next to us after 11pm. 7 folk jumped out walked around the site dragging picnic benches to their van. They then had a campfire and started cooking on a giant wok, singing and drinking. 3am I had enough and complained, the reply in broken English "sorry my friend, we have paid a lot of money to hire the van and have a good time visiting Scotland so that is what we are doing". I explained it would be better if they respected Scotland and the locals. The site owner arrived at 5 and was angry that they had a fire in the middle of the pitch next to where they had parked a few feet from an electric hookup.
Maybe 1 in a 1000 people act like this !
It’s outrageous!
They can’t lump us all into this sort of ridiculous behaviour!
Edit : my daughter went swimming at Luss yesterday and it was covered in all sorts of rubbish , don’t think it was campervaners , more likely day trippers just dumping their shite anywhere.
I guess it's ironic that a man on Barra was charged by the police for emptiyng his waste into a river while the Environment Agency in England is pouring shit into rivers every day of the week.
@@CameronMcNeishOutdoors
100% correct Cameron
But this idiot on Barra is ruining it for the rest of us , what an idiot .
I’m heading up glencoe way tomorrow , probably not
To
A campsite but we won’t be causing any trouble to the locals hopefully!👍🏻
@@CameronMcNeishOutdoors Not only in England. There was a massive pollution incident on the North Esk last Friday. It was the weekend before SEPA even turned up by which time the environmental damage was colossal.
@@CameronMcNeishOutdoors It's been a couple of years since we last visited Barra but when we were last there you could empty your waste tanks for free in the ferry port. If these facilities are still available then this baw bag's dumping is even more inexcusable. Let's hope that his fine is at least a 4 digit figure.
We were in Rowardennan 9 days ago and it was absolutely mobbed. Day trippers everywhere but I think the midges finished some of them off 😂
We did it last week in a hired motorhome. It was amazing and everyone we met was really welcoming. However, Idiots will be idiots. Doesn’t matter if it’s wild camping, hiking, campervans, there’s some idiots everywhere. Absolutely loved Scotland.
Very informative and very good points well made. It’s such a shame people do daft things and disrespect the countryside or other areas. Shocking behaviour.
Sound advice.
All the best, David & Rachel 👍
I’m Scottish and have camped all over Scotland . The rule leave nothing but footprints has always been my moto.
Returning from fort William to Glasgow with my caravan in tow end of September early Saturday morning I was staggered to see nearly every lay-by full of campervans worse still I had driven to achintee pub at base of Ben Nevis 5am that we'd to find 28 of the 30 spaces taken by campers god help the locals mid summer must be a nightmare
The ones doing this are just scum bags. As regular visitors to the Highlands it saddens us to see things like you mention.
I agree with most of what you say Cameron, & there is never any excuse for emptying toilet cassettes anywhere but a dedicated place. But if l leave my motorhome, l always leave my curtains or blinds closed, partly to keep the sun out, but also to prevent people looking in & maybe being tempted to break in, so it doesn't mean i'm in bed.
Totally agree with what you said. Interestingly we also close the blinds when parked, but not the windscreen blinds (which we would do if we were sleeping in it overnight). So for us there is a difference.
The Irresponsible few will continue to spoil things as they are arrogant. I also found one camper-van taking up what would be three car parking spots yesterday.
I noticed a sign on a motorhome window in South Ayrshire it said, "Highland Council Resident" what's that all about?
Are tourist's vans being targeted up there or something?
No idea Bill. Sorry...
Great information for people visiting Scotland...The forestry Scotland parking thing is excellent although the one above the fairy pools on Skye was a rubbish dump ... really sad to see 😢
Incidents such as that are HUGELY rare. I've never felt anything but welcome during my travels.
I have been travelling to the NW Highlands for over 35 years. I have stayed in hotels, B&Bs and for a while many years ago had a campervan. In those days there were few around. I was very discreet, sometimes I stayed at a campsite and sometimes I very carefully picked a spot away from sight, arrived late and left very early, leaving no sign at all I'd been there. I made friends and met only with a welcome. I do not come in a campervan now out of respect for the community. I agree with the anger of the community today. The situation is out of control and many behave irresponsibly and selfishly. The creation and promotion of the NC500 was totally irresponsible. We now have people stopping all along the road, making no effort to be discreet, totally taking the p*ss, emptying loos and generally spoiling some of our last wildernesses. I don't want to contribute to that. I still come but stay in hotels. I still hike and on a long distance hike where I have no choice but to wild camp in remote areas, I do so. This is real wild camping but what people are doing now absolutely isn't and is going to destroy things for genuine hikers. There needs to be a clamp down on stopping by the road, they need to stop promotion of the NC500, they need to insist on use of campsites, rented vans need to provide evidence they emptied loos at authorised sites etc.
As a resident, thank you. The situation is getting desperate, I am a prisoner in my own home, cannot bare to see the distruction of this beautiful area.
@@junehall2177 agree, it is very upsetting seeing what is going on in such a beautiful area. I was in Assynt last week fishing and every layby was full along the roads. They turn up, park by the road, pitch tents, get the deck chairs out and just stay there. I've even seen them put washing lines up. Same with campervans and even caravans. Getting along single track roads to go fishing is now a major headache (what lunacy routed the NC500 down the Drumbeg Road!!!!). The route is also being used as a race track by car and motorcycle clubs. A once quiet day drifting beautiful lochs like little loch Awe is now a constant roar of engines. These people don't give a toss about the local area. I'm as angry as the local people about it.
@@mattwright2964 Thank you again for understanding our plight & for respecting the area by not travelling as you once did. I wasn't kidding when I said I'm now a prisoner in my own home. We only go out now if it's urgent, to travel on these roads now is not only dangerous but also heart breaking. The area now resembles an open sewer.
NC500 Ltd & it's supporters should hang their heads in shame. Highland Council even paid for the brown NC500 signs, so at residents expense too !
Thank you Cameron for a very well balanced and educating approach to overnighting in campers/MoHo's.
No sensible motorhome or camper van user can argue with any of this. If we allow the tiny minority to act in a selfish or irresponsible manner a holiday way of life that I have enjoyed for many years will become more difficult.
The general advice should also be followed in the rest of the UK - don't piss people off.
You are not being 'uncharitable' Cameron... He should be made a Public example of, as a lesson to Every visitor to your Beautiful land...
Thanks Cameron, I'm still campervanning after over 40 years also. Similar problems on the Welsh Coast. No frills Green Campsites, Pub Stopovers & welcoming Aires are the way to go. Your video really is excellent. As a Photographer, all I need is a safe quiet welcoming place to spend the night.
Camper vanning getting politicised . . News companies
Agree 110% it’s about respect - but councils often take the easy route and blanket ban instead of looking at controlling and working with respectful owners who downs money in the local area.
I think those that abuse that includes lots of day trippers in cars that disrespect need to be hammered hard in my opinion
We just went to Ireland mainly off grid on one night on the main minding my own business and in fact picking up litter
The trip we spent £3600 in the Irish economy and similar wherever we go.
We don’t ban people walking in a high street because sone drunks have performed anti social behaviour we target those that mis behave yet with campervan folk get a blanket ban
This deliberate type of behaviour should not be tolerated, Scotland is one of the most beautiful country's on the planet, I lived there for 20 years, and it was an amazing experience, well done sir, you are spot on to highlight this behaviour and bring it to our attention, keep up the good work its very appreciated 😀
Excellent commentary. I love to camp all over the world and always respect the local laws and regulations, it really pisses me off when people abuse their surroundings-I usually stay at a bnb and very rarely stay at places that don't offer camp sites. I'm coming in the summer of 25', could you recommend a rental company out of Edinburgh?
Shocking behaviour from an ignorant unappreciative minority, who seem to have little in the way of values. We need to make a conscious effort to balance out their negative behaviour. Like you say, it`s always good to make the effort to engage with and appreciate the local community, who are generally friendly and helpful wherever you are staying. The majority of campers that I come across are good decent people who only want to enjoy, and help preserve the beauty of the countryside that we are lucky to have here. Thanks for another excellent, on target video. Keep up the good work.
I don’t think it’s the seasoned motorhomers or wild campers that are the problem but those who have a try at it but don’t have a clue. Some folk don’t even realise the problems caused by disposal or toileting near a water source. You see it more on the public holidays at certain beauty spots I’ve seen bagfuls or rubbish on Rannoch Moor or along side Loch Tummel disgusting. It takes nothing to take you rubbish home with you or empty your cassette at home.
As I have a big van I tend to go into a site it’s worth it if I’m leaving the van for any time. It contributes to the economy as well.
Totally agree.
Was on Skye with my son was disgusted to find human s..t in almost every lay-by.
Litter everywhere. Tourism is necessary but sadly 7:34 its making a dump of our country
I have to echo Nick H comments. Excellent video and comments. As always let's all ensure we leave no trace, unless we leave it better than when we arrived.
Vile...should be the strongest penalty possible
Excellent video blog, well presented.
Yes its getting very pricey in the UK hence more and more going to France Spain & Portugal where loads park ups FREE and some charge as little 3 Euro a night with services except electric so solar power is a must.
Indeed. Had a month in Spain and Portugal in March and it's like night and day in terms of infrastructure and attitudes.
Bravo sir, what an excellent and concise video, very informative and plenty of useful insight, thankyou!
What fantastic advice.
We sadly have morons in all walks of life though.
Travelling gently in a motorhome? An oxymoron surely.
People and businesses who offer 'Free' overnight stops for campers in exchange for the campers patronage, need to be aware that they too need to contribute to the campers human needs, like access to toilets etc. Its not a new phenomenon, People do actually need to relieve themselves.
Most campervans and motorhomes have on-board facilities these days. Even small VW's like mine. Most campervanners who overnight outwith campsites will visit a campsite every three days or so to empty waste.
With respect, from CaMPA.
Most un-metalled roads, unfenced land and beaches are private property, and you don’t have a right to park unless it’s authorised by the landowner by verbal agreement or signage. The Road Traffic Act 1988 states that you can drive a vehicle up to 15 yards off a public road for the purpose of parking, but this does not confer any right to park the vehicle. You still need the landowners permission.
As a resident of Wester Ross, the problem appears to be the sheer volume of motorhomes/campervans, so the small minority of "bad eggs" becomes a significant amount.
It's the same in so many walks of life nowadays. The few spoiling things for the responsibly minded public. It starts at the top - so many of our politicians set poor examples so people think they have a right to behave in the same way.
@@CameronMcNeishOutdoors Agreed.
The NC500 Ltd has not helped here, sadly. It was an ill conceived plan by North Highland Initiative.
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS.
Thank you Cameron - as ever, you are a gentlemen with a most melodious voice, a warm heart, a resolve of granite and a gem of a Scot.
Just like the rest of us, Alba gu bràth 🏴
Thank You for a useful vlog before my visit to Scotland this coming July.
As usual a balanced and well informed vlog Cameron. Words fail me about someone emptying the toilet in a stream or indeed anywhere not a CDP. I carry a spare cassette in the garage to avoid crises arising after a night or two off grid.
Well said! We have been traveling for over a decade through Europe and now we are established in Scotland. Sadly some people are still living in the stone age when littering was common. Family with two young kids we always teach them ethics and well behavior by respecting others is respecting yourself. Many times we had parked in some amazing areas and we had to pick up the garbage and take it with us, so we can make our stay more pleasant. This community is amazing and has so much to share an absolute shame that for a few, everyone has to pay the price. Maybe a social media page, shaming the ones who .... don`t respect nature like the rest of us, may be the answer!😁
Well said, Cameron. And a good, informative video too.
Very well put, I totally agree with all your comments 👍
Im totally put off scotland, and I dont want to risk local Scot's damaging my new van. We will stick to Europe, much more tolerant and far far more provisions for Vans, and Norway is like Scotland on steroids.
OK
No need to be like that
Having just spent the past few weeks touring Scotland in our small camper van, it’s certainly come to light that the minority will spoil it for the majority. The Outerhebrides (Harris and Lewis) have a nice system, they provide plenty of options where to overnight. Either wild camping, overnighting with basic amenities or full blown campsites.
I don’t think we’d travel during the high seasons though. Overcrowding could become an issue.
Thanks for your time and the valuable links you’ve provided 🥃
They do but people prefer not to pay. There’s trouble in the WI but we’ll wait and see if it quiets down but MH owners have been responsible for a lot of abuse to islanders recently
Well said
Spot on! I've been travelling to Scotlands high and southern uplands for 40 years too.... always finding a quiet spot respecting it with upmost love for nature the terrain and the locals that live amongst it... I don't do a big shop when I set off from Wales but spend all my money with local shops and specialised food businesses.... I'm coming up again in July and I must say I'm on tenterhooks for what I might see and find.... because the last 2 years I've been completely shocked at the damage and the spoil and waste and the tempers....of just some of the visitors....
Thank you Scotland and communities welcoming me so graciously all these years
I love the Munro books by Cameron McNeish. My bible 👍 🏴
The Covid travellers ruined it, with sh!t in every Scottish rural lay-by
Covid didn't help but this disgusting behaviour started well before that with the inception of the North Coast 500 by a private company. Shame on them.
Well said cameron
I totally agree. It is the few who get the rest a bad name.
It is not acceptable to empty toilets just anywhere, leaving your rubbish, lighting fires on moor and woodland, parking on private property and in passing places is a definite NO.
Another problem is the size of some of these motor homes which are far too big for highland roads. Add to that the fact that many of these are hired and often driven by inexperienced drivers who are used to the wider roads of the south east of England.
Visitors ARE welcome but please respect our country and don't destroy it. And please listen to Cameron's video again and DON'T spoil things for everyone else.
Remember, take nothing but photographs - leave nothing but footprints 👣
What a sensible well balanced vlog. Well said that man.
You are not being uncharitable about people disposing of human waste or anything from campervans or caravans in such a beautiful part of the world, they disgust me. My wife and I love Scotland and will always make the effort to buy locally if we can.
Some excellent points made there. Sadly too many people don't have common sense these days. We don't understand those who sleep in til all hours. If we are away in our van we want to be up early to make the most of our time away. We haven't used a site in over five years as we like to spend our money locally and share it around between shops and cafes. We are hoping to get back up to Scotland in October, when the hoards of people have left. Thanks for this excellent video Cameron
Sleeping late has many reasons, my guess is the most common is simply people on holiday wanting to relax & get off the workday schedule.
Sex on waking is wonderfully relaxed but doesn't fit around work schedules because often it takes a long time.
Some people are nocturnal.
For me, I find people stressful, all people, even nice people, so I live at night. Right now, 1pm, I'm just settling down after a panic attack brought on by people staring through my windows this morning & reading my address off an envelope in the cab to a telephone. No idea who they are, no uniforms, didn't knock on the door.
Well said Cameron . My only gripe with camper van owners are the idiots who drive at 30mph on main roads and refuse to pull over .A82 along Loch Ness is a prime example.
Sudden & large increase in camper van numbers is bound to drive change. Probably needed are: better infrastructure (sewage disposal, park up places, etc) & appropriate regulation (park up bye-laws, limitation of numbers by permit, conduct codes, etc)??? Essential to bring this business to the Highlands but it will likely require these & other changes to be successful.
We do not have the infrastructure to cope with tourism that Visit Scotland has created, nor will we ever have it. The uneducated and entitled will come. I too have camped and caravaned for 50 years. Alas no more.
VS certainly plays a part by backing the private limited company NC500 LTD.
I’m sorry to hear that Mark. Like you I feel parts of Scotland have become too busy so I just go elsewhere and keep the honeypots for out of season times. I’ve discovered some wonderful places doing that. Don’t give up because of the bad ‘uns.
@@CameronMcNeishOutdoors I'm glad you can do that Cameron, sadly I can't, through no choice of my own, I am stuck on that darned route which was imposed on residents without consultation. We had a little caravan once, no more, sold it. We don't want to add to the misery & didn't get any enjoyment out of it anymore. Sad.
Yes, you speak my mind. We have had enough of those who, by their rouge behavior, spoil the right to camp freely to everyone else. I support your notion that we all have influence and can put a stop to it. I have started to ruthlessly report those who violate camping etiquette. I do this, because I want to protect the 80% that abide by the rules from the 20% who don't and spoil it for everyone. I report to the police and to social media, I approach the individual politely and point out what impact their behavior has on the communities image. Those who don't give a shit are reported at the fullest extend (police, social media, me harassing them until they leave). Those who are open for a discussion, I try to sit down with and have a talk about why we all have a responsibility to improve our image! We all need to do this more, and not turn a blind eye towards those who misbehave!
Concur to all you've said Cameron!!! Another great message to all!! It's a shame there are some irresponsible people in the world!!
Another great video and watch. You make so many good points in your content and I for one follow you avidly.
I have to personally thank you for giving me the push to buy an electric mountain bike. I was so close to buying a Trek bike like yours but in the end spent a couple of thousand more on a full suspension Haibike as it gave me better kit i.e. a bigger battery and suspension travel and in the end I had to buy a model up on the one I was going for as I was not so keen on the colour supplied as stock in the shop. I am trying to build up my range locally here in Renfrewshire firstly, before venturing out into the great outdoors of this wonderful country of Scotland we are lucky to be able to call home. I am going to revisit your back catalouge for clues to where you were when you set off to these fantastic tracks and vistas featured in your content.
Thanks for inspiring a now near sixty year old boyhood cyclist back onto a bike.
E-bikes are magic. It's a cliche now but they do bring a smile to your face.
@@CameronMcNeishOutdoors 😃😃
@@CameronMcNeishOutdoors 😃😃
Good piece on an important subject. In total agreement with you Cameron!