A petition calling for campervans to be banned outside of designated zones in Scotland has been rejected by MSPs, even as some acknowledged it raises concerns that deserve further consideration.
According to an article by The National, the proposal was launched in October by Robin Pettigrew, a former chartered member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, who argued the move should be part of strengthening the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and making it enforceable.
Pettigrew, who lives in Lochcarron along the popular NC500 route, has said the code is “routinely ignored” by irresponsible tourists.
He believes dedicated enforcement teams are needed and that fines should be introduced for breaches.
The petition warned that ecosystems are collapsing under “unsustainable pressure”, wildfires are destroying habitats, and emergency services are being blocked by illegally parked vehicles in tourist hotspots.
More than 1,100 people signed the petition, but MSPs said there was “no alternative” but to reject it due to limited parliamentary time before the upcoming election.
Jackson Carlaw, chair of the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee, said the matter could be revisited.
“I actually think there is quite a serious issue raised in the context of this petition but I’m sorry to say this is one of the ones I’ve just identified where I think the work we would need to initiate would be pretty considerable,” Carlaw said
“So I very much hope, were it to be a proposal of the committee to close this petition, that the petitioner would raise this with the new parliament when it convenes in May.” Carlaw added.
Carlaw also described the Scottish Government’s response as “rubbish”.
The Scottish Government said creating a new enforcement team could cause confusion over responsibilities and lead to a less effective response.
Ministers added that existing mechanisms already address anti-social behaviour and that the petition’s proposals would not make a substantial difference.
Meanwhile, motorhome company Roam N’ Roost in Drumoak, Aberdeenshire, opposed the petition, warning it would deal a “major blow” to small businesses and rural tourism.
Pettigrew previously told The National that the code’s message is often “twisted” by tourism bodies and that its “powerless” nature has resulted in people parking in front of homes, in graveyard car parks and blocking lay-bys.
He said the NC500’s post-lockdown popularity has left communities “completely overwhelmed”.
“I do think that laybys are not meant for overnight camping or recreational purposes, but they can be necessary for heavy goods vehicles for taking a break… I do think this petition has a serious point to make but we have no alternative but to close the petition today,” Ewing added.
Pettigrew, who submitted a 2023 report calling for a tourist vehicle levy, has suggested Scotland look to New Zealand’s freedom camping model, which includes more than 500 designated areas and rules requiring non-self-contained vehicles to use campsites with facilities.
This decision highlights the growing tension between access, sustainability, and infrastructure planning that could shape future travel regulations across popular touring routes.