Highland Council’s motorhome pass scheme has come under fire once again, with MSP Edward Mountain urging the local authority to abandon what he calls a “flawed and ill-conceived” initiative.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to council leader Raymond Bremner, Mountain questioned the practicality and fairness of the scheme, which asks motorhome owners to voluntarily pay £40 for a week of parking in council car parks—without any enforcement measures in place.
Mountain, a Conservative MSP for the Highlands, joins a growing list of critics who argue that the scheme is not only unworkable but unfair to local businesses.
Introduced by the SNP-Independent administration earlier this year, the scheme has faced stiff opposition, particularly from campsite owners who claim it violates health and safety regulations and puts them at a disadvantage by offering cheaper alternatives to properly regulated sites.
Critics argue that motorhomes are being parked too closely together, potentially breaching safety guidelines, and that the council’s move to undercut private businesses is inappropriate.
“This scheme has been a constant concern raised by my constituents as I travel across the Highlands,” Mountain said, adding that the issue was also highlighted during a recent tourism event he hosted in Wick.
In his letter, Mountain sided firmly with local campsite operators, accusing the council of failing to consult adequately with businesses and questioning whether the council had adhered to proper planning and safety regulations.
“Private sites are subject to stringent planning and safety rules, far beyond simply marking out bays in existing car parks,” he wrote.
The MSP also raised concerns about the lack of enforcement, noting that, in the scheme’s first six weeks, only 38 permits were sold, despite more motorhomes using the allocated spaces.
“It’s baffling that this outcome wasn’t foreseen,” Mountain remarked, pointing out that regular parking is managed by wardens, yet the motorhome pass scheme operates without any similar oversight.
Mountain further criticised the council for a lack of transparency regarding the scheme’s costs, stating that he had to request financial details himself.
“I cannot find the true costs for this scheme,” he said, “and it would be helpful to understand the financial commitments involved, including the repayments owed to Highlife Highland.”
In his conclusion, Mountain didn’t mince words, calling for the initiative to be scrapped altogether.
“For these reasons alone, I believe the council should abandon this ill-conceived and unworkable idea before it does further harm to local campsites,” he wrote, adding that if scrapping the scheme entirely is not an option, a comprehensive review should be conducted.
With mounting opposition and ongoing concerns about fairness, practicality, and safety, the future of the Highland Council’s motorhome pass scheme appears increasingly uncertain.
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