Local councillors frustrated by littering and disruptive behavior are pushing for a nighttime ban on camper vans in council-owned car parks along the North Coast 500 route in Scotland.
However, the proposed restriction comes with a hefty price tag, potentially exceeding £40,000. Highland Council’s Sutherland County Committee is set to review the proposal on Monday, focusing on the impact of campervan and motorhome overnight stays.
At present, two designated car parks in Durness and Golspie, both situated on the NC500, allow campervans to park overnight for £10 per night. Visitors may stay for one night only and must wait 72 hours before returning.
While daytime parking would remain unaffected, council parking enforcement officers would oversee overnight restrictions. Currently, parking fines stand at £100, with a reduction to £50 if paid within 14 days. Enforcing the ban could cost anywhere between £4,100 in overtime for existing staff and £41,000 for an additional full-time officer.
Last year, the council introduced an initiative aimed at regulating overnight parking for campervans and motorhomes. The Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme, priced at £40 for seven days, was the first of its kind in the UK.
Yet, by August, uptake had been low, with fewer than 40 permits sold. Participation in the scheme is voluntary, granting access to 12 council-run overnight parking areas and High Life Highland facilities for washing, but it does not include waste disposal.
Conservative MSP Edward Mountain has criticized the scheme, calling for its termination and estimating its cost at £2 million. He argued that instead of competing with private businesses, the council should encourage the 27% of NC500 motorhome users who avoid campsites to make use of existing campsite facilities.
The NC500 has long faced complaints over road-related issues. A motorhome rental company once advised its customers to steer clear of the route following vandalism incidents where its vehicles were targeted with eggs, yoghurt, and even tyre slashing.
Locals frequently express frustration over congestion and waste left behind by vehicles. The increasing tensions over the years have led to police interventions. In 2018, authorities investigated reports of tacks scattered on the road near Bettyhill, allegedly intended to puncture vehicle tyres. Each year, police conduct operations along the NC500, catching numerous offenders for speeding and other violations.
Despite these issues, the NC500 has received global praise from travel experts, including National Geographic and CNN, and has been featured on shows like Top Gear. The 516-mile loop, starting and ending in Inverness, is estimated to contribute over £22 million annually to the local economy.
While some hail it as a scenic treasure that boosts tourism, others see it as a source of frustration. Residents report problems with both reckless speeding and slow-moving motorhome convoys, causing long traffic tailbacks. The NC500 continues to divide opinion—seen by some as a road to economic prosperity and by others as a route plagued with challenges.
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