All campsites and caravan parks in Scotland closed due to coronavirus

All campsites and caravan parks in Scotland have closed as of today and will not accept new arrivals, the Scottish Government has announced.
The spectacular beach at Sango Bay at Durness, Sutherland, makes it a popular destination for tourists - but one local campsite was forced to plead with tourists to stay awayThe spectacular beach at Sango Bay at Durness, Sutherland, makes it a popular destination for tourists - but one local campsite was forced to plead with tourists to stay away
The spectacular beach at Sango Bay at Durness, Sutherland, makes it a popular destination for tourists - but one local campsite was forced to plead with tourists to stay away

Businesses will now be expected to advise current visitors to return home and stay at home, rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing said.

The announcement follows days of warnings to potential travellers not to view rural communities in the Highlands and islands of Scotland as a safe refuge from coronavirus.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

One campsite in Sutherland was last week forced to post a statement pleading for tourists to stay away after being inundated with requests from potential customers from as far away as Manchester.

Mr Ewing said now “was not the time for holidays, travel, or for being away from home”.

He added: “Additional visitors, particularly to rural areas and our islands, will put a severe strain on local resources and the NHS, which is not set up to cover the need of non-residents long term.

“All those who can safely do so should now return to their primary residence. However, I also understand that in some cases residential mobile homes, motorhomes, campervans and holiday lets on a caravan park or tourist site may be someone’s primary home, and that some people will be unable to return to where they usually live.

“Sites should be sympathetic to the circumstances of these individuals, and should, where necessary, remain open on a partial basis for these occupants only.

“We recognise this is an incredibly testing time for the tourism industry and we appreciate the tremendous effort underway by businesses, large and small, within the sector to respond. I am therefore grateful to the business organisations that represent campsites, holiday parks, caravan sites, and motorhome hire businesses for supporting their members to close at this difficult time.

”We look forward to welcoming visitors back to campsites, caravan and holiday parks in Scotland when it is safe to do so.”

Comments

 0 comments

Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.