By Emma Dodd
The Western Isles Council has welcomed a move by the CalMac ferry company to display a warning about travelling to the archipelago without a booking.
Its website warns caravan, motorhome and campervan owners to make sure they have a reservation at an official site before setting off from home.
The council had found its own attempts to ask people to stay away unless they’ve secured a pitch in advance throughout the pandemic were largely ignored.
Since lockdown has been eased, there has been a significant increase in the number of people travelling to the islands and wild camping has been widespread.
Cllr Uisdean Robertson, chair of the council’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee, spoke about the local communities’ concerns with overcrowding during the pandemic.
He told the Stornoway Gazette: “Any restriction on the numbers of campervans and motorhomes to the Western Isles during these unprecedented times, that can be brought about, represents a responsible approach which does not impact adversely on the local environment and public health, while still in the local economic interest.”
With overseas travel still proving difficult and popular European destinations being subject to quarantine, many places in the UK are dealing with record numbers of visitors.
While wild camping is legal in Scotland, a large influx of holidaymakers all arriving at the same time and staying without proper facilities represents a strain on the local infrastructure.
It’s also worrying for islanders trying to keep the coronavirus out of their communities.
In many parts of the UK, caravan parks have seen so much demand they’re booked up until October, as people try to make the most of a shorter holiday season.
