Ariane Burgess MSP has called for urgent action from Highland Council to address the growing problems caused by unregulated overnight parking by motorhomes and campervans, warning that unmanaged stays are putting local communities, small businesses and the reputation of Highland tourism at risk.
In a letter to the Council’s Chief Executive, Ms Burgess raised serious concerns about the impact of the current motorhome scheme, following a rise in complaints from constituents, campsite operators and tourism businesses across the Highlands and Islands.
“The Highlands welcomes visitors with open arms,” she said.
“But unmanaged overnight parking is creating real problems for communities and small businesses.”
“People have written to me about overflowing bins, human waste, and safety hazards in public car parks that were never designed for overnight stays.
“These are not isolated incidents, they’re becoming routine.
“If we want sustainable tourism, we need to face this issue head-on.”
She referenced Torvean Car Park in Inverness as a key example of the problem, noting that voluntary payments are being widely ignored and that there is little to no visible enforcement of safety standards.
“I have been sent videos and photographs, including footage from Torvean Car Park in Inverness, clearly showing high levels of overnight use by motorhomes,” she said.
“This is one of several car parks included in the council’s scheme where a voluntary payment is encouraged in return for access to facilities.
“However, constituents report that the system is being widely abused.
“Voluntary payments are frequently ignored, and there appears to be no active enforcement to ensure compliance with even basic safety standards.”
The Highland Caravan and Campsites Association has also warned that bookings at licensed sites are falling sharply, with some motorhome users accessing private facilities without permission or payment.
Ms Burgess said the situation is not only affecting livelihoods but raising genuine safety concerns, especially in light of a recent motorhome explosion in Lossiemouth which highlighted the risks of failing to follow pitch spacing rules.
“This isn’t just about fairness, it’s about safety and the long-term reputation of Highland tourism,” she said.
“People deserve to know that where they’re staying overnight is safe and fit for purpose.
“Residents deserve to have their communities respected, not treated like a stopover.
“We need Highland Council to take the lead in creating a system that works better for all.”
She has now requested a formal response from Highland Council outlining its current enforcement strategy and any future plans to work more closely with local campsite operators.
While acknowledging the complexity of managing tourism in a rural region, Ms Burgess said it was vital the Council acts to address what she described as a “growing frustration among businesses and residents.”
