>> There's an article about it in today's Guardian:
>> tinyurl.com/yy9tosyd
Presently on Isle of Harris for week. Recognise in that article lot of stuff we either saw ourselves or heard from others when we were here last year. That was our first visit since 2010 and the growth in Campervan use on the Hebrides has been phenomenal. Convoys, inability to use passing places (lack of anticipation and not able to reverse) and dumping of toilet waste in streams and down rabbit holes are apparently common place. Didn't actually see anyone emptying their toilet cassette but got well pi**ed off reversing over blind bits of road 'cos others wouldn't.
Big incentive has been Scottish Government's 'Road Equivalent Tariff' which puts fares on par with driving cost. Motor caravan cost is similar to car. Booking two months ahead we couldn't get on Saturday morning service to Harris or the lunchtime return a week later. Seven pm crossing last night was rammed too - daughter who booked after us couldn't get on and had to cross Ullapool>Stornoway instead.
It's just a bit inconvenient for tourists but islanders complain they struggle for space on or off the place in peak season.
Steps are under way to imrove facilities. Harris Estate has created pay as you go parking spots wih payment by Pay Pal and there's a small site with electric hook ups on the road to Huisnis. A bigger ferry is due in 2020 and more chemical toilet disposal points are planned but demand will probably expand to meet available supply.
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