Home   News   Article

Coping with the rise in visitors to Moray


By Alistair Whitfield

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

Moray Council is looking to better cater for the numbers of motorhomes and campervans coming to the region.

.

Chemical toilet waste disposal units, electric hook-ups and properly marked parking bays have been identified as a priority.

At a meeting today several councillors outlined the problems experienced in their own communities this summer due to the influx of visitors, especially those in large vehicles.

The issues have included congestion, litter and environmental damage.

Both cllrs James Allan (Heldon and Laich, Conservative) and John Cowe (Heldon and Laich, Independent) spoke of the problems at Lossiemouth's West Beach.

Cllr Cowe also called Hopeman where traffic congestion has been particularly bad "a victim of its own success".

Referring specifically to the number of fire pits which also have been built by visitors to Findhorn, cllr Clare Feaver (Fochabers, Conservative) stated the situation was an "environmental disaster".

Opinions were also expressed that Moray needed to improve its tourist infrastructure.

Cllr Nicol (Speyside/Glenlivet, SNP), who stated she owned a motorhome herself, said: "Travel around Europe and you find proper facilities.

"They are proud of their towns – they want people to come and see them.

"The last thing we want to do is to send out the signal that motorhomes are not wanted in Moray."

Cllr Derek Ross (Speyside/Glenlivet, SNP) agreed.

He said: "The situation isn't going to go away in the immediate future. We have to deal with the reality.

"Because of coronavirus many people who would have normally gone abroad on holiday have instead hired motorhomes.

"They are not used to camping so I believe we have to cut them some slack.

"I think the vast majority want to do the right thing, but we need to help them."

Congestion has been particularly bad in Hopeman.
Congestion has been particularly bad in Hopeman.

In time for the next tourist season the council is discussing investing up to £138,000 of its own cash.

It also hopes to attract an extra £322,000 from a national fund.

The authority has until the middle of October to approach the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF).

This fund was set up to help communities across Scotland with less than 3000 people, which excludes Lossiemouth.

However the fund will pay up to 70% of the costs involved with any project it approves.

Moray Council has already identified a long list of potential upgrades at Hopeman, Findhorn, Cullen, Portknockie, Craigellachie, Portgordon and Ballindalloch.

Cash might also go towards improving the car park at Ben Rinnes and the pathway to Bow Fiddle Rock.

Read the latest news from the local area here

.


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More