Councillors back overnight campervan parking ban

Sutherland is a popular destination for visitors to the Highlands

Councillors in the north Highlands have backed a ban on motorhomes and campervans from parking overnight in some local authority-owned car parks.

Visitors are allowed to use a number of the sites across the Highland Council area for a fee.

However, councillors in Sutherland said they had received complaints about inappropriate waste disposal and anti-social behaviour.

Sutherland area committee unanimously supported a proposed ban on overnight parking at sites in Golspie and Durness at a meeting on Monday but the move will require approval by the full council.

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

A full meeting of the council at a later date is expected to be asked to decide whether or not to give final approval.

According to figures pubished in 2022, almost 36,000 motorhomes visit the Highlands in a year.

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.