Attitude towards motorhomers

[Jimhunterj4]

This is the first time Angela and I have ventured into the highlands for 3 or 4 years we had a fantastic two week trip the last time but this time we’ve noticed a stark difference in people’s attitudes towards us, I’ve spoke to a couple of other motorhomers and they feel the same. One polish guy camping in his tent with his wife and kid at loch lochy approached a family who were in a camper and took photos of our vehicles said (in broken English) I hope your going to take your bbq off the beach with you(the thing was still smoking !! The fellow in the camper asked him where they were all doing the toilet and an argument started. People in cars shaking their heads at us getting parked up in Asda for shopping, (way out of the way of other cars) getting the silent mouth shouting as the car can’t get parked up at Nairn harbour (no car park spaces left all the MH spaces full so we’re to blame, man the list goes on, I swear I never seen the half of this a few years ago

 

[Wully]

Blame game Jim everyone everywhere is wound up like a spring not just in the motorhome and camping word but it’s creeped into everyday life. It was already going that way but this pandemic has pushed a few borderline folk over the edge. I’ve not ventured up north for two years now and not planning too any time soon. Takes the fun out it when you feel like that.

 

[The laird]

Minority knacker it for majority Jim .it is sad I was in Broxburn yesterday and go campers have a work facility second to none from what I saw ,they're raking it in , so sad this is reality but

 

[Jimhunterj4]

Yea it is sad, didn’t feel like this when we were down in Yorkshire, roll on a couple of years when the world opens back up and the temporary campers start flying again, cause right now I feel like I have to be watching my back in my own part of the country. Weird.

 

[jeffmossy]

At the moment I think rallies and pop up camps are the way forward , we have not wildcamped in this Country for over 18 months now as we cannot be doing with the dirty looks and snardy remarks from other people who have not got a clue about motorhoming , anyhow we will keep plugging on and looking out for old and new venues and thanks to the rest of the rally team on this forum who are doing a fantastic job in getting us out and about enjoying ourselves again

 

[mistericeman]

I suspect a lot of popular areas have suffered over the pandemic...
Inconsiderate, ignorant, careless folks have flooded areas that probably only suffered mildly previously....

Search out quieter less populated, off the beaten track places and you will still likely be met with smiles and a friendly welcome....
IF you happen to have (in some folks eyes) a good reason to be staying there (we are usually fishing/bird watching/walking the dogs or have the kayak with us)
Then folks seem even more relaxed and happy to chat to you....

 

[Ex Greeny]

My wife and I and our two dogs, have been in Scotland since the middle of June, and we have not encountered any adverse feelings towards us, quite the opposite in fact! We have spent time around Helensburgh, the Kintyre Peninsula, Campbeltown in particular, the Isle of Arran, and are now at Girvan! We have been made very welcome wherever we have been, so I cannot understand why some motorhomers are getting a bad experience!
Ex Greeny.

 

[Wully]

My wife and I and our two dogs, have been in Scotland since the middle of June, and we have not encountered any adverse feelings towards us, quite the opposite in fact! We have spent time around Helensburgh, the Kintyre Peninsula, Campbeltown in particular, the Isle of Arran, and are now at Girvan! We have been made very welcome wherever we have been, so I cannot understand why some motorhomers are getting a bad experience!
Ex Greeny.

Think the problems are further north especially anywhere near that NC500. You visited the best place for piece and quiet kintyre and Ayrshire.

 

[Jenrai]

I feel the explosion of first time motorhomers over the last 18 months is not helping. Whilst it is great to see our community growing it takes a while to learn the do's and dont's.

I was in my local Marquis Leisure the other day and they usually have over 200 mh for sale. I counted 10. When I asked what had happened was told they had sold them all and could not get any replacements until September.

 

[rugbyken]

to be fair i think the resentment is against the whole nc500 hype folks there can’t get to work or the shops for 10 x the normal traffic we went there 6 years ago & there were convoys of motorbikes & sports cars driving with no consideration & our larger vehicles are a natural point of resentment we were in the trossachs this year and saw convoys heading that way, the best thing about scotland is if all the tourists are up there plenty more space for us in places such as wully said we were in argyll last year truly beautiful

 

[trevskoda]

Folk are sure on edge as others have said, in my builders yard and ask one chap I know had he been jabbed, he went completely bonkers and flipped his lid, I had to walk out.

 

[Jimhunterj4]

My wife and I and our two dogs, have been in Scotland since the middle of June, and we have not encountered any adverse feelings towards us, quite the opposite in fact! We have spent time around Helensburgh, the Kintyre Peninsula, Campbeltown in particular, the Isle of Arran, and are now at Girvan! We have been made very welcome wherever we have been, so I cannot understand why some motorhomers are getting a bad experience!
Ex Greeny.

Funny thing is we’ve been down Ayrshire Irvine Greenock girvan most of the lowland areas recently and it was ok, just up here, we’re still early into our two week trip so hopefully not have any more bother

 

[Jimhunterj4]

Folk are sure on edge as others have said, in my builders yard and ask one chap I know had he been jabbed, he went completely bonkers and flipped his lid, I had to walk out.

I agree with you there, my son is an anti vaxer he now has tested positive as with his oldest daughter, he has asthma too, tried to drum it into him about the dangers of not being vaccinated but he knows best,

 

[Vanterrier]

We have been up here for three weeks now and have not had any problems with locals but have seen some stupid behaviour by motorhomers...
Four travelling in close convoy on single track road.
Rowdy behaviour on wild camp - hire Van's
Parked on wild site but with awning, wind break chairs and fire.
Parked too close to us once.
As usual these are the minority stuff-you-im-alright brigade who will hopefully be back in Benidorm next year...
No wonder some locals complain.
Some locals have got it right though, there's a load of "camping spots" on Harris. They are just the usual Roadside pull ins above the loch but they have placed a welcome sign suggesting a small donation. Makes you feel welcome.
It's not as bad as some would have you think up here... in our experience anyway.
K

 

[snapster]

Funny how people love to knock motorhomers and will post a picture of a bag of rubbish dumped at the side of the road, supposedly left by a motorhome, and 4 motorhomes travelling in convoy causing disruption to the roads and local community, yet ignore the tons of rubbish left in parks and on beaches, over the summer, left by “holidaymakers”! and the gridlock caused by thousands of cars all heading to the beach on a sunny bank holiday.
People love a scapegoat……….

 

[nabsim]

So far this year I have been in the Scottish Borders twice for a total of around a month, Northumbria, Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Wiltshire virtually full time and not seen any problems with locals. Won’t do North and West Scotland til late Autumn at the earliest but I don’t expect any problems when I do but will update if I am wrong

 

[El radge]

Funny thing is we’ve been down Ayrshire Irvine Greenock girvan most of the lowland areas recently and it was ok, just up here, we’re still early into our two week trip so hopefully not have any more bother

Was up in NE corner Stonehaven , Gardenstown and Cullen
Pretty quiet and no problems . Think the hotspots everywhere have problems (often perceived)
We are our own worst enemies at times though
Obvious local one for me was Fisherrow harbour
People were taking the absolute pee .
Of course the local council handled it badly . Easy option height barrier

 

[stevensmith91]

I agree with you there, my son is an anti vaxer he now has tested positive as with his oldest daughter, he has asthma too, tried to drum it into him about the dangers of not being vaccinated but he knows best,

Your son may well change his mind when he realises that he probably won’t be able to holiday out with the U.K. or even enter some public events
more and more countries will deny entry to non vaccinated people and this will be the norm.
My stepdaughter is a “refuseniak” and won’t hear of it and yet her 3 daughters who are 18,22,24 are sensible and all fully vaccinated

 

[Molly 3]

They seem to think we are a load of freeloaders that don't spend any money,

 

[Pudsey Bear]

We're going to a wedding in Stirling, but we're going up early and staying around afterwards so I hope they behave themselves.