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Highland Council has responded to criticism that a new campervan charging scheme will be toothless without enforcement. Motorhome owners and those renting vehicles will be encouraged to buy a pass entitling them to free overnight stays at council-owned carparks and daily access to showers at High Life Highland leisure centres. Membership costs £40 for seven consecutive days and the proceeds will be used to improve and sustain tourist infrastructure, according to the local authority.

The scheme, which is the first of its kind in the UK, is completely voluntary and and aims to ensure that Highland "continues to be a destination of choice by domestic and international visitors; tourism in the region is sustainable; and journeys throughout the Highlands are enhanced." The council said it believed a voluntary scheme was more likely to achieve a high level of support. The pass will not entitle visitors to avoid daytime parking charges but Highland Council said it will evolve over time to include more benefits.



It is separate from the visitor levy national scheme which is likely to be implemented at the very earliest during 2026 and applies to visitors staying in fixed overnight accommodation including hotels and B&Bs. Campervans are a regular sight in the Highlands during the Summer months (Image: Getty) Visitors will be encouraged to visit nearby businesses for wastewater disposal and spend money in local retailers. Those who pay the fee will also be contributing to the Highland .

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