Caravan site operators 'incredibly angry' over new £40 motorhome pass
The Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme allows people to pay a voluntary fee of £40 a week, which gives them access to certain leisure centre showering facilities as well as overnight stays in particular car parks.
More than 20 caravan site operators have signed an open letter directed to Highland Council demanding an urgent meeting over a new motorhome pass.
The Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme allows people to pay a voluntary fee of £40 a week, which gives them access to certain leisure centre showering and changing facilities as well as overnight stays in particular car parks.
After it was launched on Monday, the council hailed the scheme as being the "first of its kind by any UK local authority."
However, those running campsites across the Highlands have reacted angrily to the pass, with one couple saying they're "very worried" about their future.
Fears around 'quality of service' with motorhome pass
Lynn and Darren Redfern, who run the Dornoch Caravan & Camping Park, wrote an open letter to Highland Council which now has more than 20 signatures from other operators across the North Coast 500 route.
Lynn said: "We are incredibly angry.
"We have alerted all the other campsites in the area and understandably they are just as livid as we are."
Darren disagrees with the suggestion there's not enough facilities for those visiting the region in a motorhome.
He said: "They're saying there's not enough provision in the Highlands.
"We averaged 50% occupancy last year.
"We are very worried about our future.
"We're actually worried about the quality of the product being offered.
"People come to us and they get a good experience.
"Quite a lot of our visitors are coming to us on their first night of the NC500.
"A lot of them have rented their motorhomes and they don't understand how to work them properly.
"We help them with these things.
"If you park up in a Highland Council car park, you're not getting none that."
Lynn was keen to point out they rent their caravan park from Highland Council.
She said: "Rather than helping us increase business, they're taking business away from their own establishments.
"We're not the only ones who rent from Highland Council.
"It just seems a bit bizarre."
A Highland Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the Council has received a letter from campsite operators about the voluntary ‘Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme’ and will be responding in due course directly to the authors.”
Speaking when the scheme launched earlier this week, Highland Council Assistant Chief Executive, Allan Gunn said: “The launch of the Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme is understood to be the first of its kind by any UK local authority.
"‘Conscious travellers’ who opt for the seven-day pass have access to scheme benefits that will support continued improvements to services such as public toilets, wastewater infrastructure, and environmental and ecological protections.
“There is an identified need for facilities to accommodate campervans, motorhomes, roof tents and people who are using vehicles for short stayovers.
"This scheme offers an opportunity for the Council to continue to support local priorities relating to tourism and visitor management.
"The Highland Council has also committed funds that will be invested towards improving the existing infrastructure and to provide more council-owned sites."