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Tiny city with a ridiculous amount of tourist footfall, I’m not surprised. Was thinking of going on our tour next year, I may give it a miss. That said we’ll be in the area in low season.
Theres definitely a strong anti vibe from a couple of posters, yourself included @politecameraaction
If you think "the council shouldn't subsidise your expensive hobby" is the same as "ban them all", you've got quite a persecution complex! 🤣
Scotroutes however does make a good point about funding Aires could lead to more cash in to the local communities - the rationale for the 7 stanes and the edinburgh festivals
And it was the justification for the NC500, but that's not worked out so well...
https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/concern-over-environmental-impact-of-north- coast-500-route-1438635
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18531595.residents-express-discontent-north-coast-500/
The NC500 was promoted by a private company to increase visitor numbers. There was no/little discussion within the local communities and no involvment from the council. Indeed, it took a few years before the council installed the road signs. Some of the individuals involved have since gone on to buy-out some of the hotels on the route and have made a tidy profit from it all.
nc 500 took off in a way that was not expected and also shows a total lack of planning - camper van stops should have been built and built into the itinerary. Its fair to say the upset and annoyance is not a feeling universally shared amongst residents
The small community here is heavily dependent on tourism in summer, but the needs of visitors needs to be balanced with the needs of island residents. We have an acute shortage of affordable homes or long-term rentals to the degree that the school can’t attract or retain teachers in certain subjects, there are vacancies in nursing and social care and some businesses are restricting opening hours due to lack of staff. Kind of difficult argument to make that spending should be allocated to building overnight spots for campers when there’s a campsite up the road and typically half-a-dozen freeloaders in the harbour car park. If campervan and motorhome users want better facilities then they need to demonstrate they’re prepared to pay for it - based on their current behaviour, then that’s a resounding no.
I guess my problem is I'm a bit of a tourism and activity anarchist. Seeing yet another 'secret spots to visit' Web or newspaper article fills me with dread. I really want the old days back, where scruffy obsessive oiks found our way to activities and places rather than having them flogged to all by interested parties. I've actually given up some places and activities because they are overrun. Random example of how even an ultra specialised niche activity can be done to death is cave diving in the Lot and Dordogne. Its virtually a mainstream activity now. And quite heavily monetised.
I should also admit a level of hypocrisy, given how many guide books are on my bookshelves!
If campervan and motorhome users want better facilities then they need to demonstrate they’re prepared to pay for it – based on their current behaviour, then that’s a resounding no.
Based on the number of fully booked campsites I’d disagree. There are those though who have a self entitlement and think they have the absolute right to park where they like for free. I
Those looking to Councils to provide facilities; Highland Council had (has?) a projected budget shortfall of almost £50 million this financial year (and £70+ million for the next 3-4 years on top of that). I doubt it’s the only one in that sort of situation (I don’t know the exact situation of the Council I currently work for but I know of 50% cuts on some colleagues budgets, he frequently talks about what he can’t do rather than what he can…)
They are in danger of not being able to fulfil their statutory obligations to their residents (and tax payers) before looking to serve the needs of those out with their jurisdiction. Pretty sure public conveniences aren’t a statutory requirement, that’s why some are being closed…
Unsurprisingly budgets have been slashed, there is nothing spare. And if facilities were provided you can be sure they won’t be for free; everything that can be monetised pretty much has been (or will be) cf parking, EV charging, brown bins, etc. Welcome to Austerity Britain 💩
It’s pretty much the exact same situation writ larger (ie no-one wants to pay the price things actually cost…).
ETA: what @dovebiker said; perfect example of the issues.
Based on the number of fully booked campsites I’d disagree.
+1
I’m happy to pay to stay overnight somewhere but I don’t need any facilities other than water & waste probably twice a week. France, Spain, Italy, Germany and other countries have this pretty sorted. Anything from €5 to €15 per night and maybe €3 if you want to use the water & waste service point, although I did pay €28 per night for a great location in Cadiz. However that was very much an exception.
When I’m away I’ll do a mix of campsites, paid aires, and free spots depending on the location & services. It’s a great way to holiday & really explore an area. It’s not going to go away so why not try to come to a solution that works for the locals as well as the tourists. From previous comments it seems there’s a shortage of public toilets so you could tie them together somehow.
I’ve been to some aires in France that catered for probably 75 motorhomes, charging €8 per night plus €3 if you wanted water & waste. Everyone paid and everyone was spending locally. It wasn’t anything fancy, just a big gravel & grass area on the edge of Le Crotoy. Very busy in July & August bringing in approx €800 a day. That’d pay for itself pretty quickly even if you scaled it down loads.
I don’t think anyone is advocating for free facilities or to have their holiday subsidised. I think the real issue is that some people are ignoring rule number 1, as they do in all walks of life. Those people won’t care if you ban it; they’ll just keep doing it.