Call to ban camper stays in Sutherland car parks

Almost 36,000 campervaners visit the Highlands every year, according to 2022 figures

Highland Council has been asked to ban campervans and motorhomes from overnight stays in its car parks in Sutherland.

Some local councillors say there have been problems with waste being disposed of in or near the car parks, and also complaints about anti-social behaviour.

The council's Sutherland area committee has been asked to agree to the ban at a meeting next week.

Councillors backing the move have suggested signs be erected to direct visitors to alternative parking areas, but in a report officials warn that enforcing the ban could increase its parking staff costs by up to £41,000 a year.

Highland Council encourages visitors to use designated campervan areas, but does run its own scheme for campervan and motorhome holidaymakers.

It costs £40 per vehicle, lasts seven days and allows visitors to stay overnight in a network of local authority-run car parks.

According to figures pubished in 2022, almost 36,000 motorhomes visited the Highlands.

The highest numbers were in north west Sutherland, Skye and east Lochaber.

Sutherland is a popular destination due to its mountains and beaches and is a destination on the North Coast 500 tourist route.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) says waste from campervans and motorhomes must be carefully disposed of, usually at a facility linked to mains sewers.

Many of the vehicles have tanks for storing what is known as grey water - water from showers and sinks - and black water, which is toilet waste.