The new £40 Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme for fellow road trip enthusiasts…
For fellow road trippers (like myself) who love hitting the open road, this initiative launched by Highland Council recently is for anyone travelling in a campervan, caravan, or motorhome, and looking for overnight parking in the Highlands. For just £40, you can get a 7-day pass that allows you to stay in a series of dedicated overnight car parks (you can find the car parks listed below).
This new initiative is all about making visits to the Highlands even better while also supporting the local community and protecting the environment. Highland residents with campervans or motorhomes are welcome to join in, too! The funds from this scheme go directly into improving infrastructure, benefiting everyone. Plus, you’ll get some fantastic perks to enjoy during your Highland adventures.
Benefits of the Scheme:
- Inclusive Overnight Parking: Access to a network of designated car parks.
- Support for the Highland Restoration Fund: Contributing to projects focused on nature restoration, wildlife protection, and tackling biodiversity loss due to climate change.
- Sustainable Tourism Investment: Direct investments to improve visitor experiences.
- Free Access to Leisure Facilities: Daily access to showering and changing facilities at any High Life Highland leisure location for two adults and an unlimited number of children during normal opening hours.
Overnight Car Parks:
Access to overnight car parking is set out on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead. Here are some key things to keep in mind if you’re considering purchasing the 7 day pass:
- Parking Hours: You can park overnight from 10pm to 8am.
- No Return Policy: Once you leave a car park, you can’t return for 72 hours.
- Vehicle Containment: Make sure all your activities stay within your vehicle.
- Allocated Bays: Use the allocated parking bays when available.
- Waste Disposal: Dispose of wastewater must be done at official sites only.
Current Locations:
| Overnight Car Park | Location |
|---|---|
| Torvean Car Park | Inverness |
| Nairn Harbour | Nairn |
| Dunnet Head Car Park | Caithness |
| Dunnet Seadrift Car Park | Caithness |
| Noss Head Car Park | Caithness |
| Reiss Beach Car Park | Caithness |
| Riverside Car Park | Wick |
| Durness Village – Tourist Info Car Park | Sutherland |
| Golspie Shore Street Car Park | Sutherland |
| Ullapool Latheron Car Park | Wester Ross |
| Gairloch Harbour Car Park | Wester Ross |
| Little Gruinard Beach Car Park | Wester Ross |
If you’re planning a NC500 road trip or exploring the Highlands, this might be something you want to consider, to support the local community. You can also find more information about travelling through the highlands in my ultimate NC500 guide book!