Highland motorhome pass earns £8k despite lowered targets
The voluntary passes, which cost £40 and are valid for a full week, give motorhome users access to council parking areas and showers around the North Coast 500 and Nairn.
READ MORE: Consultants appointed to tackle congestion on Highland roads
A target of £500,000 was set by the council, who planned to use the money to improve services along its roads.
Earlier this year, however, the original target was reduced by 96%, setting a new goal of just £20,000.
The Press and Journal revealed on Tuesday that revenue generated by the pass had not even reached the halfway point of the new target.
Figures released by Highland Council show that a total of £7,988.56 was earned from the passes between July 1 last year and June 3 this year – meaning only around 200 people purchased one.
Council vice convener and senior strategic chairman, Ken Gowans (below), defended the scheme by arguing that its main aim is to 'promote responsible tourism by offering managed alternatives to wild camping'.
(Image: Highland Council)
Gowans admitted that £500,000 was an 'ambitious target for a new initiative', though he argued that 'minimal and one-off setup costs' mean future income could help ease the council tax burden for Highland residents
The Inverness South councillor called it 'disappointing' that opposition members 'overlook' the scheme's purpose.
He said: '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.
'By providing basic facilities, we reduce both the environmental damage and the cost of cleaning up after irresponsible campers.
'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.'
The SNP councillor also added that 'there are no planned changes' currently devised for the scheme.
However, he did highlight that they are 'always open to improvements' related to customer experience and community feedback.
READ MORE: British Museum to loan Lewis Chessmen to France in exchange for Bayeux Tapestry
Gowans questioned how a measure that protects the Highlands and brings in much-needed income could be seen as a mistake, arguing it offers a practical solution to a difficult problem—unlike the opposition, which, he claimed, presents no viable alternatives and risks worsening environmental harm by advocating inaction.
Conservative councillor Ruraidh Stewart, however, labelled the scheme a 'complete failure' and a "total flop" and has called for it to be axed.
Stewart told The P&J: '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.'
The Eilean a' Cheò representative said the introduction of the scheme was a 'mistake' in the first place.
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