Highland Camper Tax

[Deleted member 21258]

This popped up on my lead page and I feel for the clickybait title.

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknew...-tourism-tax-on-campers/ar-BBY2b2d?ocid=ientp

Whilst it is hard to see it putting anyone off, as it currently such a low figure, an interesting turn of events and wonder if it will increase over time, spread to more areas and if it will be good/bad for the areas concerned.

 

[Dando]

there's one person on this site that will be happier than a dog with 2 dicks with this news

 

[Wolf]

To be fair though many countries across the world charge a local tax for tourists. We had a €1 per night charge when we were in Italy in the summer. If that £1 per night charge is used for the purposes of keeping the local environment clean then i don't see an issue with it at all.

 

[BrianM]

It’s not something I’d normally be in favour off, but the amount of mess campers and climbers are leaving behind them is getting ridiculous, the council have to try and claim money to get people to clear up there mess they’ve left.
Its only a minority as usual that spoil it for the rest.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

And related to this is that you can't take a camper van or caravan onto some Hebridean islands (Tiree I know being one) unless you have booked a site - CalMac won't take a ferry booking. Places just getting overrun with folk parked up wherever they wanted to, creating mess; breaking down fences; visual 'pollution' of beautiful landscapes - and islanders unable to go about their business.

 

[User20204]

And related to this is that you can't take a camper van or caravan onto some Hebridean islands (Tiree I know being one) unless you have booked a site - CalMac won't take a ferry booking. Places just getting overrun with folk parked up wherever they wanted to, creating mess; breaking down fences; visual 'pollution' of beautiful landscapes - and islanders unable to go about their business.

It's a very unfortunate result of a successful tourist area, almost a catch 22 situation.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Perhaps provide more "facilities" for people to use?.
I get the tourist tax, I know we pay it when we go to Cape Verde....it is a third world country after all. However Scotland isn't, and if they want the tourists to come they should rescind this idea. It's not the monetry value but the impression and idea it gives.
They should say if they don't want the tourist money.

BTW, dumping into a drain I find disgusting, having seen the vagrants do it in central London.

 

[patricks148]

there's one person on this site that will be happier than a dog with 2 dicks with this news

not really dear boy

The main culprits for the damage, litter, Human waste are not using camp sites, it all wild camping, be it camper vans or tents. no way of collecting this tax from other than the people who are already paying towards the local economy by staying in camp sites or B&B and hotels.

walk past the park near the river any night in the summer and you will see a dozen Camper vans parked up who have driven past two sites to get there, not forgetting the tents in the islands and along the canal. these are the ones that need to pay something

 

[patricks148]

It’s not something I’d normally be in favour off, but the amount of mess campers and climbers are leaving behind them is getting ridiculous, the council have to try and claim money to get people to clear up there mess they’ve left.
Its only a minority as usual that spoil it for the rest.

trouble is Brian its not going to be hitting the people who are making the mess!!

only those that are putting something into those places by staying in camp sites and Hotels, B&Bs its them that are going to pay not the wild campers

 

[drdel]

...and the cost of running the scheme will be?

The charge should be higher.

 

[patricks148]

...and the cost of running the scheme will be?

The charge should be higher.

what cost? they are just getting where ever people are staying to charge them £1 per night. no one is running around charging people

 

[stefanovic]

Everywhere that gets a mention in the media is now trashed by tourists who want all their home comforts with them when they go away.
You can keep Scotland with its foul weather and midges.
I really enjoyed the Yorkshire walks last week on BBC4. But right now I wouldn't venture to the places mentioned.
Hebden Bridge, once a quiet haven for hippies will be choked with motor homes.

 

[USER1999]

not really dear boy

Why do you think this was meant to be you?

I think he has arrived. Post 12.

 

[Dando]

Why do you think this was meant to be you?

I think he has arrived. Post 12.

and we have a winner!!!!!!

 

[patricks148]

Why do you think this was meant to be you?

I think he has arrived. Post 12.

ahh i see

if only he had said a mental case i would be all over this i would have known who was on about

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

It's a very unfortunate result of a successful tourist area, almost a catch 22 situation.

See also The North Coast 500. My cousin lives on Little Loch Broom and she tells me that in summer these days it is a bit of a nightmare and mess. The infrastructure just can't cope. And much of the time camper vans (a very large proportion of those travelling) just drive through (clog up) the communities without stopping - and contributing little to the economy.

 

[Dando]

ahh i see

if only he had said a mental case i would be all over this i would have known who was on about

Silly me!

 

[User20204]

See also The North Coast 500. My cousin lives on Little Loch Broom and she tells me that in summer these days it is a bit of a nightmare and mess. The infrastructure just can't cope. And much of the time camper vans (a very large proportion of those travelling) just drive through (clog up) the communities without stopping - and contributing little to the economy.

I stayed a few days in Scourie last year and that's exactly how our bnb host told it, she also said that the council are spending no money upgrading the roads that are getting battered.

 

[patricks148]

I stayed a few days in Scourie last year and that's exactly how our bnb host told it, she also said that the council are spending no money upgrading the roads that are getting battered.

most of the main NC 500 us under bear scotland so not the council, though all the small village roads would be.

TBH it just looks like a money grab by the Highland council and won't target the people it should

 

[Dando]

Mrs dando and myself are amazed at the amount of stuff people leave laying about when they leave a campsite.