Wild Camping and facilities in Scotland

[cmm303]

Jilly,

You're a star for raising this. Feeling guilty because not had good ideas for you, though so loved the wilderness of Scotland and its isles. Even though we only wild camped a couple of nights and always knew it would be between proper sites, the thought of just being allowed to when the opportunity arose creates a sense of unparalleled freedom.

As already posted, with the importance of tourist revenue there clearly is a case for leveraging existing facilities or adding to the current public infrastructure. However I wonder if there is an anti wild camping lobby lurking. With Loch Lomond's proximity to the cities they have felt the need to prohibit it - I can hazard some guesses why. We tried to find Muz's spot on the NW shore of Loch Linhe and all the obvious spots had branches or trunks strewn across their access. We started to think it wasn't accidental. Makes me wonder if some hearts and minds need to be won over and if a sustainable solution to the perceived problems of wild camping by campervans is needed.

[Jillygumbo]

Thanks Chris, It's my friend who lives on Skye who's raised it.

It would be a shame if wild camping were restricted and perhaps the powers that be do have an ultimate agenda, but all we can go is educate those that wild camp to do so responsibly. Of course, there are many other wild campers that do not read this forum!

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks Chris, It's my friend who lives on Skye who's raised it.

It would be a shame if wild camping were restricted and perhaps the powers that be do have an ultimate agenda, but all we can go is educate those that wild camp to do so responsibly. Of course, there are many other wild campers that do not read this forum!

And remind powers that be that encouraging considerate campers is better for the local economy than just denying access

[MountainGoat]

The poor response by mainland based councils to the influx of tourists is in stark contrast to the action taken by the Western Islands council. The later appear to be ahead of the game having already installed waste disposal points and public toilets in readiness for the beginning of cheaper ferry fares. They have published details of where these facilities are located. It is time other councils followed suit.

http://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/vis ... sal-points

[Bob]

Council response to increased tourism round here is to close most toilets and introduce charges for the few that remain.

Problem can be its not even down to money but having a supply of 20p coins. Of course local shops won't part with them and even if they would its not much good when your yougster (or yourself) needs the loo NOW.

[Bongolia]

Council response to increased tourism round here is to close most toilets and introduce charges for the few that remain.

Problem can be its not even down to money but having a supply of 20p coins. Of course local shops won't part with them and even if they would its not much good when your yougster (or yourself) needs the loo NOW.

Chuckles

[mikeonb4c]

Council response to increased tourism round here is to close most toilets and introduce charges for the few that remain.

Problem can be its not even down to money but having a supply of 20p coins. Of course local shops won't part with them and even if they would its not much good when your yougster (or yourself) needs the loo NOW.

Another reason i fancy hanging on to the Bongo. Electric blinds+curtains+portapotti means i can operate 'off the grid' more often than would otherwise be the case

[Jillygumbo]

The poor response by mainland based councils to the influx of tourists is in stark contrast to the action taken by the Western Islands council. The later appear to be ahead of the game having already installed waste disposal points and public toilets in readiness for the beginning of cheaper ferry fares. They have published details of where these facilities are located. It is time other councils followed suit.

http://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/vis ... sal-points

Thanks Tony for the input.

[BillyCasper]

May be look at what they have done in France. The communities, even small communities have clearly marked public disposal points. Some free, some accessed by paying through a slot machine.

[Jim the Box]

Access to Skye for the vast majority of motorhomes and campervans is via the bridge, why not set up a Tiree type of levy based on the number of nights you plan to wild camp on Skye, honesty boxes, volunteer payments/donations are open to abuse, especially by the same jokers who leave all their mess as muss stated previously in his post. All motorhomes, campers must check in as they cross the bridge, and check out on departing, a payment of say £5-£10 per night, levied on all would help pay for disposal and shower block facilities etc provided by the council for use.In fact any island where access is controlled by ferry port or in Skye's case a bridge could raise revenue towards providing facilities, as it's easy to control the access points to the islands, personally I tend to book in use a campsite if possible every 3rd night just to get a good shower and top up my leisure battery, and get rid of my grey waste, toilet waste, and take on some fresh water, I book in only only because these facilities are not in place in most cases unless you go to a campsite, I would gladly pay for these facilities to be made available near say the ferry terminal, or local swimming pool, or in a harbour area where they could provide a service the local fishermen/yaughts people etc as well as the camping fraternity.

[g8dhe]

I think the concept of charging all sounds fine, but what about those who choose to stay on a campsite, they will end up paying twice, once to the council for facilities they won't use and a second time to the campsite which they will use. I think the council's would also require additional legislation to enable them to make such charges, council's can't just off there own backs raise additional taxes not covered by existing law from which ever parliament set them up.

[Jillygumbo]

Access to Skye for the vast majority of motorhomes and campervans is via the bridge, why not set up a Tiree type of levy based on the number of nights you plan to wild camp on Skye, honesty boxes, volunteer payments/donations are open to abuse, especially by the same jokers who leave all their mess as muss stated previously in his post. All motorhomes, campers must check in as they cross the bridge, and check out on departing, a payment of say £5-£10 per night, levied on all would help pay for disposal and shower block facilities etc provided by the council for use.In fact any island where access is controlled by ferry port or in Skye's case a bridge could raise revenue towards providing facilities, as it's easy to control the access points to the islands, personally I tend to book in use a campsite if possible every 3rd night just to get a good shower and top up my leisure battery, and get rid of my grey waste, toilet waste, and take on some fresh water, I book in only only because these facilities are not in place in most cases unless you go to a campsite, I would gladly pay for these facilities to be made available near say the ferry terminal, or local swimming pool, or in a harbour area where they could provide a service the local fishermen/yaughts people etc as well as the camping fraternity.

Agree with what Geoff says but I do like the idea of having facilities near the ferry terminals or near the bridge.

[g8dhe]

For Skye itself a "Motor Home Booth" just as you come off the bridge, with a map showing facilities and locations might be a good idea, maybe sell tokens to use at campsites or use on self provided facilities by the residents, with the council passing on the majority of the token cost to those providing the facilities .....

[Jim the Box]

Good call Geoff, most sites will let you dispose of your waste for a small fee however, I have encountered a small number of sites where if you don't pay in full for an overnight " you ain't dumping your stuff." The problem is we are discussing an issue which is not our making, most members on wild camping forums, caravan clubs, and forums like this are like minded in disposing of waste correctly when the opportunity arrives, unfortunately there are a few who get rid of regardless, as the number of motorhomes increases so does the number of people causing this problem.