A motorhome pass introduced by Highland Council to support sustainable tourism has generated less than £8,000 in its first year—far below its original target of £500,000, according to an article by The National.
Launched in July 2024, the voluntary Campervan and Motorhome Scheme allows travelers to purchase a £40 weekly pass, giving them access to council-managed parking and shower facilities across the North Coast 500 and Nairn areas.
While the program aimed to improve infrastructure and services along heavily traveled tourist routes, initial projections proved overly ambitious.
Earlier this year, Highland Council revised the revenue target down by 96%, setting a new benchmark of £20,000.
However, new data reveals the program fell short even of this reduced goal, earning just £7,988.56 between July 1, 2024, and June 3. This equates to roughly 200 passes sold.
Despite the underwhelming financial results, Highland Council vice convener and senior strategic chairman Ken Gowans defended the scheme’s core purpose.
“While revenue is a factor, the primary goal is to promote responsible tourism by offering managed alternatives to wild camping — especially in our most environmentally sensitive areas,” Gowans said.
He added that “minimal and one-off setup costs” mean any future income could still contribute to easing the council tax burden on local residents.
“By providing basic facilities, we reduce both the environmental damage and the cost of cleaning up after irresponsible campers,” he explained.
“Rangers and the installation of additional waste bins at key locations further strengthen this approach, helping us protect our natural heritage while continuing to welcome millions of visitors each year,” Gowans added.
Gowans also emphasized that there are “no planned changes” to the scheme at present, though improvements based on community feedback remain an option.
Critics, however, remain unconvinced. Conservative councillor Ruraidh Stewart called the scheme a “complete failure” and a “total flop,” arguing that it should be scrapped entirely.
“What we’ve ended up with is a freeloaders’ charter, where people are being directed to park up for nothing while local providers are left footing the bill,” Stewart told The Press and Journal. He described the initiative as a mistake from the outset.
In response to opposition concerns, Gowans questioned how a measure designed to protect the Highlands and generate modest income could be seen as a misstep.
He accused critics of offering no viable alternatives, suggesting their stance risks worsening the environmental issues the scheme was designed to address.
This highlights the challenges of managing tourism sustainably. While the scheme fell short financially, its focus on protecting natural areas and supporting responsible travel remains a key concern for regions facing increasing visitor numbers.