Motorhome Aires for the Highlands - Temp. Locked
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When we had a caravan, if we really wanted to visit somewhere and didn't want to travel, there was never ever any trouble finding a site nearbye. The main difference now is it's a lot easier moving on and we have access to Aires as well.
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There is a problem building up with the motorhome users who just don't want to stay on a site. This summer our family friends who run a small motorhome site in Scotland, Ardfern Motorhome Park, found the area outside their little site was being used by "wild" campers. So although they could provide a parking spot many were choosing not to use it. Until the wild camping bit in Scotland is nailed to tent users only as requested by the authorities there is a problem that won't go away.
It's a prime example of someone providing a small site and it still doesn't seem to prevent local problems of over use. A pity really, we're on a small island and beauty spots are getting crowded.
PS I'm not against aires!
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Unfortunately it seems to happen even where there is very good provision. Some folk just aren't prepared to pay. On several occasions when stopping on camping car park Aires, we witnessed MH's pull up near the barrier and walk in with their cassette. The Aires all had plenty of room and offer a reduced rate if all you want to do is use the facilities. The Aires were often remote, so possibly weren't on a main sewer. I am sure the same will happen in Scotland if we are lucky enough to get a network of automatic Aires. The costs of course have to be covered and those that pay will be subsidising those that don't.
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For first time ever, we saw folks “wild camping” with caravans this Summer. Smaller vans, on coastal tracks, car unhooked. In the day they were lost amidst other vehicles parked up, but we saw the same combo’s parked up in exactly the same spot three days running. They weren’t leaving a mess or doing anything unsociable, but it was somewhere that said no overnight camping allowed.
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As most know we have been down the not so versatile as we still think of a motor caravan ,in the UK , hence a return to towing,and a go almost anywhere tow vehicle
As also some know we are not altogether staying with the towing fraternity for ever and have again toyed with the idea af a panel van conversion, (with more space and comfort than our last AS conversion on a Talbot)
Our motor caravan (Autocruise) was the right size just under 20ft but still restricted for parking although with the habitation door on the rear we could use some carparks ,we found it was still more of a problem with even then with,places getting more height barriers so we tended to do as DK and look for sites with ease of access to PT and/or towns but as OH has become less mobile the car/caravan combo is more for now suitable untill maybe she will accept a PT viable buggy which can then be on the rear of a PVC
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When questioning some site staff as to why there is a need for locks on site facilities the anwer is nearly always to stop those from outside the site useing them and if the site is close to towns or minor roads it is normally "wild campers" in m/vans, at FM it is also from the narrow boats moored in the park as well as those that "wild camp?" in the little lane near the site
I quite understand your friends who note the problem ,and i suspect the "wild campers" try to use any facilities on site?
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The costs of setting up "aires" is not going to be cheap even with grants? if mains water ,waste and toilet cassette emptying also rubbish disposal, is to be installed ,and a hard surface for parking on ,then there will be the ongoing cleaning and servicing of each aire
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The point I was trying to make is when you pass by an interesting looking cliff top or riverside village only a short time after leaving your last site. You don't want to find a site but would be nice to explore and have a coffee break. Not really possible with a caravan.
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Very true ....and this is what irks the locals, people getting something for nothing which they as locals have to pay for, forget the so called benefits to the local community, in many areas this might only come down to the local ice cream vendor and nothing more.
As a local rate payer, a lot of my money has gone into detering MH's from abusing car parks etc, not making them unwelcome in general just trying to ensure they dont take advantage of the situation, and if as i read somewhere there is a 130 per cent increase in the sale of MH's the situation is only going to get worse, because quite simply, a lot of new buyers will have no concept as to the ways of caravaning/MH'ing and some will think it is ok to park up where ever as long as it is free, as to them this is what living the dream should be all about.
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That has to be weighed against the cost of widespread cleaning of the lay-bys and other park-up spots in use now.
However, I fear the need will not switch from cleaning park-ups to aires as I suspect wild camping will continue even if there is aire provision.
The responsible campers will continue to act responsibly while the others are probably unlikely to change their ways without some form of enforcement.
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Hence the need for a reasonable charge circa 12€ at Camping Car Park sites in France. Might have to be £12 here. There were plenty of Dutch and Germans ( who you see plenty off in the NW of Scotland ) using those in France. I would assume they would also be happy to pay when traveling the NC500.
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I have come across a number of motorhomes and caravans on sites that are working in the area and also on CLs (although I only use those occasionally). They are generally in well paid trades and choose the option in preference to hotels, B&B etc.
With the present situation this year a lot of people, many 'unskilled', are out of work. Some of these' mainly single, have given up a rented home and taken to a van. Many of these folk will understandably not wish to pay much to stopover - preferably nowt.
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JV, I didn’t need to read on, I posted the pic to show that it’s happening & being planned, well done the Scottish Parliament for taking decisive steps👍🏻. From my understanding the Aires will be with facilities needed by tourers so your point re car park means nothing🤷🏻♂️
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The responsible campers will continue to act responsibly while the others are probably unlikely to change their ways without some form of enforcement
yes indeed, but once again somebody has to pay for the enforcement officers, which we have in our local area. Just how you create a business case for the provision of these so called aires is going to be very difficult simply because it will not be a case of one size fits all
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Just how you create a business case for the provision of these so called aires is going to be very difficult simply because it will not be a case of one size fits all
It shouldn't be that difficult but do agree all cases will not be the same, there are too mnay vairiable per site. In making the case for an Aire it would seem sensidble to include an element of cost for enforcing officiers if they were thought necessary..
peedee
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Just how you create a business case for the provision of these so called aires is going to be very difficult simply because it will not be a case of one size fits all.
Camping-Car Park seems to be able to do it with ease and is looking at entering the UK.
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Local authorities have their limited resources massively stretched these days. Maybe rental of Local authority land for development into "aires" by other organisations who know what they are doing would be a way forward. Thus giving income with little risk and maybe covering the cost of an enforcement officer.
Locals might get peeved if a swimming pool or library is closing and an "aire" appears run by the council!!
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If Camping-Car-Park have a profitable business, that they would like to extend to include the UK, i for one would have no problems with this, provided it is funded by them as a business and not reliant on Local Council funds, good luck to them
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Motorhomers drive the NC500 route in five or six days, and of course they would like someone to provide nice modern Aires along the way for them. Whether building them would prove cost effective, or whether they would benefit the local communities along the route is still doubtful to me.
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I think it is the NC500 that the Scottish tourist board have been advertising in many countries? that has caused most of the problems with the amount now useing it
The Wales 5 road tours will be the next problem area if they catch on as the Wales tourist board are hoping?
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Ok JV, I expected you to be capable of thinking outside the pic. I forgot your negative proclivity excludes you from any forward thinking, you need to be open minded re the future-it is coming whether you like it or not🤷🏻♂️. Sorry but it’s a fact😢
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