Senior councillors split on motorhome scheme's "failure"
Senior Councillors have come to the defence of Highland Council’s Caravan and Motorhome scheme despite its pitiful earnings so far.
In a meeting of the Corporate Resources Committee yesterday, March 20, Councillors discussed a report which revealed that the scheme is only projected to earn £20,000 in its first year, a far cry from its £500,000 goal.
Other estimates from The Times have put the amount of money generated so far at just £1,090.
The scheme, which is entirely voluntary, charges caravans and motorhomes £40 per week to stay in council run car parks around the popular NC500 route.
As said by Assistant Chief Executive Allan Gunn, the scheme was cheap to set up, built on existing technology, and could keep running at no extra cost to the council.
But its failure to reach the target made some councillors want it scrapped.
Councillor Ruraidh Stewart said: “It’s been an unmitigated disaster which failed to bring in even a fraction of the projected income, has damaged legitimate business and has sown frustration among residents.
“This isn’t just a failure – it’s an embarrassment for this council.”
Leader of the opposition, Councillor Alasdair Christie agreed, saying: "If we really are wanting to be a commercially driven organisation and actually increase income generation, it does no harm to try things that are different.
"But the mistake comes when you continue on with something that is obviously not over going to meet its target.
"The time has come to stop this particular project, great to try it, did no harm to try it, the right thing to do to try it.
"But it’s not going to produce the target that was attached to it, so let’s put that resource on to finding something else that might."
Anne Edwards, a campsite owner and chairwoman of Highland Caravan and Camping Parks Association, thinks that the scheme has damaged local businesses, with some carparks under it "directly across" from campsites.
She said: "People are just going to keep parking up all willy-nilly, they’re not going to pay a thing.
"People have invested hundreds and thousands of pounds into their campsites, they shouldn’t have to be in direct competition with Highland Council."
Several senior council figures, including council leader Raymond Bremner, wanted to give the scheme another chance.
He said: “As I understand it, that figure sits at £250k over three years.
“So it’s not a failure unless we actually don’t actually manage to meet that target.”
Convenor of the Council Bill Lobban also came to the defence of the scheme, saying: "This particular project came to fruition last year when the tourist season was basically over.
"I think we need to give it the opportunity to see what level we get to.
"But, let’s not be afraid of failure! If we think of something and it just doesn’t work, then think of something else. There will be a myriad of other things that we can do really well."
Councillor Ken Gowans agreed that the scheme should continue, saying: "It’s not costing us money, it’s likely to generate some money, however little that may be.”
Local MP Angus MacDonald believes the scheme was doomed from the get-go.
He said: "I’m afraid that a voluntary scheme was never going to work. The proposed visitor levy does not intend to charge campervans that do not use campsites either.
"Consideration should be given to a compulsory carnet which campervaners should buy and display on their windscreen. Carnets are widely used elsewhere.
"Perhaps this could be required for the numerous minibuses that zoom up from the cities for the day and contribute little to our economy."
Corporate Resources Committee Chairperson Derek Louden asked councillors to take the recommendation to consider and note the progress of each of the Income Generation Projects.
Councillor Ruraidh Stewart submitted an amendment which was deemed not competent as it was "an attempt to overturn the budget."
This means that the scheme will complete its agreed three-year run before judgement is passed.
Sign up to our daily Newsletter
Permission Statement
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.
You may also like
Allan Campbell: March 22
Back to school for Bodkin boxing brothers
Sign up to our daily Newsletters
Permission Statement
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.
© 2025 Wyvex Media Limited.