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Petition Urges Scottish Parliament to Ban Overnight Vehicle Camping on NC500

The filing seeks to turn the Outdoor Access Code into enforceable law to curb environmental damage linked to motorhome tourism.

Overview

  • A Lochcarron resident, Robin Pettigrew of NC500 The Dirty Truth, has submitted the petition, which is nearing 1,000 signatures.
  • The proposal asks for an explicit prohibition on camping in vehicles outside designated zones, with breaches subject to enforcement and penalties.
  • The campaign advocates a New Zealand-style system of supervised, designated areas for certified self-contained vehicles and a national motorhome levy estimated at about £22 million a year to fund rangers and monitoring.
  • Sutherland councillors earlier approved £10 nightly charges, £100 fines for non‑compliance, and one‑night limits with a 72‑hour return ban at selected hotspots.
  • Highland Council has launched a £40 parking permit and pledged infrastructure upgrades, though some Conservative councillors label the scheme costly and residents report waste, overcrowded car parks and overnight van clusters.