Island Bans Caravans

[Val & Frank]

In the Mail on Sunday ( Scottish Edition )it was reported that the people on the Isle of Colonsay have banned Caravans and Campervans from the island. A spokesman for CalMac the ferry operators confirmed that it had simply complied with the islanders wishes in refusing to allow Caravans and Campervans on the 2 and a 1/2 hour crossing, adding this was not our idea " It was something we were asked to do ".

We all need to be thankful that " Fiona Brewer a spokesman for the Caravan Club which has more than 900000 members described the policy as outrageous ".

CalMac ferry is heavily subsidised by the Scottish Excutive which means Taxpayers. I suggest Fiona Brewer writes to the First Minister of the Scottish Parliment and asks him what is the policy with regards to the subsidry paid to Calmac. Can they just decide not to take Taxpayers if asked by some residents of the Island of Colonsay??. If thats the case what the hell are 900000 members paying towards the subsidiary ????

Val & Frank

 

[Rioja]

900000, I don't think so.

 

[Val & Frank]

That's the press for you, I quoted 900,000 as published.

Val & Frank

 

[Rioja]

I think maybe 350000, a not inconsiderable number though !I agree in the principle about everyone else subsidising their ferries but I guess it depends on roads etc when you get there. If, and there can't be any or they would complain, there are no campsites, then you can understand that the locals don't want people setting up camp anywhere they fancy. It would be interesting to know why the locals have objected in the first place. We are off to Scotland for a month in September but they need not have worried, they were never on my agenda !

 

[Val & Frank]

Nor mine It's principle.

I really think the CC should have it's legal dept write to the first minister just to set a precedent. The Club could even set up a site on the Island just to prove the point.

Val & Frank

 

[BrianStAlbans]

From the club website ...

The Caravan Club is an

 

[CliveV]

I thought the Isle on Man banned caravans?

Sure I read it somewhere - if so any protest will probably fall on deaf ears because they will be able to quote a precedent.

I suspect the reasoning behind the ban (and I certainly DO NOT support it) is that for an Island, caravanners put little into the local economy as they "bring their own food" and obviously do not want a bed in a hotel. On top of that with a limited Ferry Service a car & caravan rig takes up space on the Ferry so that locals cannot use it.

Some people on the Isle of Wight state these views so I suspect similar from some on the Isle of Colonsay.

I wonder what any site owners on Colonsay feel about such a ban?

Anybody know if there are any?

 

[Rioja]

From the club website ...

The Caravan Club is an

 

[RobRoy]

Hi all,

My understanding is that the islanders of Colonsay would welcome the extra income brought in by caravanners (they don't believe that rubbish of caravanners bringing ALL their food with them) but the simple fact is that there is no caravan site on the island and, if you really think about it, who in their right mind would make the huge investment necessary to put in even a rudimentary site when the take up is unlikely to ever recoup the cost.

Pity really as Colonsay is a really beautiful island but the high ferry costs would also mitigate against a viable usage.

Rob S.

 

[RobRoy]

Hi again all,

Further to my post of just over an hour ago, Molly has pointed out a couple of omissions from the posting.

There aren't water standpipes conveniently dotted around the island nor are there facilities for emptying chemical toilets and anyone who has come across the aftermath of some "wild campers" and the noxious mess left behind will appreciate that the islanders wont want this.

Molly and I went on a cruise to Colonsay last year and I think I'm right in saying there is only one boat from Oban each week.

Incidentally, when the subject was aired on Radio Scotland, it was interesting to note that the majority of speakers had English accents. I am in no way being derogatory in saying this as I have noticed that English people are often much more go ahead than laid-back locals in many parts of the Highlands and play an important part in the community .

The ones who get up my nose are the few - and they are a very few - who insist on trying to change the way of life of the locals who are, in all probability, very happy with things the way they are.

Rob S.

 

[Val & Frank]

This way of life they are trying to protect is costing the rest of us an awful lot of money.Is it right they can keep the beautiful island just to them selves whilst the rest of us subsidise them.

My issue with this, is can the islanders decide to almost instuct Cal Mac not to take caravans to the island, and does CalMac have to comply.

I am sure someone could open a small site which offers basic amenities, but with no ferry this can't now happen.

Val & Frank

 

[MONKEY1]

All,

This isn't the first Island off the mainland to have banned Caravans - Jersey recently changed it's laws to allow limited - prebooked entry on to the island with a firm restriction that you must go to and from the port to site by a preadvised route only - differ from this and your face Bergerac

The Isle on Man bans caravans but not motorhomes. But as it has it's own government caravanners aren't high on it's priority.

The Scottish Island's are an interesting case as they have seen the ruin of their accepted way of life by the Parliments of London, Edinburgh and Brussels (as they see it) and so I guess they are of the view that we don't bring value to their island. I guess the view of their local MSP would be interesting as he is elected by them.

MH

 

[CliveV]

There are people on the Isle of Wight who moan about the caravans taking up all the space on the Ferries during the holiday season. But most on the island realise that we are a valuable source of revenue.

 

[RobRoy]

This way of life they are trying to protect is costing the rest of us an awful lot of money.Is it right they can keep the beautiful island just to them selves whilst the rest of us subsidise them.

My issue with this, is can the islanders decide to almost instuct Cal Mac not to take caravans to the island, and does CalMac have to comply.

I am sure someone could open a small site which offers basic amenities, but with no ferry this can't now happen.

Val & Frank

Hi Frank,

I have no wish to muddy the water but who is/are the "we" who are subsidising the Hebrides?

Had the majority of Scots not classified themselves as British first and Scots second Scotland would now be independent and North Sea oil would be Scottish. Imagine the effect that would have had on England's financial well being, a possibility that prompted British government officials to say that if Scotland became independent then it would consider taking over the oil fields by force.

Just bear in mind that the vast majority of us north of the border are happy to live in harmony with our southern neighbours and let us keep it that way.

Rob S.

 

[Val & Frank]

Hi Frank,

I have no wish to muddy the water but who is/are the "we" who are subsidising the Hebrides?

Had the majority of Scots not classified themselves as British first and Scots second Scotland would now be independent and North Sea oil would be Scottish. Imagine the effect that would have had on England's financial well being, a possibility that prompted British government officials to say that if Scotland became independent then it would consider taking over the oil fields by force.

Just bear in mind that the vast majority of us north of the border are happy to live in harmony with our southern neighbours and let us keep it that way.

Rob S.

I well remember the Shetlanders laying claim to the North Sea. You seem to have forgotten that a lot of the Gas fields are in the Southern sector of the North Sea. Multiply the Barnett Formula over say 30 years ( from First Oil ), and see how that works out to North Sea Oil revenue. The we are the Taxpayers. The issue remains can a group of Islander instruct Cal Mac not to take Caravans to the island?? Goverments yes, Islanders No

IMHO

Val & Frank

 

[Val & Frank]

Hi Frank,

I have no wish to muddy the water but who is/are the "we" who are subsidising the Hebrides?

Had the majority of Scots not classified themselves as British first and Scots second Scotland would now be independent and North Sea oil would be Scottish. Imagine the effect that would have had on England's financial well being, a possibility that prompted British government officials to say that if Scotland became independent then it would consider taking over the oil fields by force.

Just bear in mind that the vast majority of us north of the border are happy to live in harmony with our southern neighbours and let us keep it that way.

Rob S.

Rob the danger for the Scots was always and still is what to do should the English say yes to independance. Look no further than the rag bag set of MSPs who claim to represent US. I think I am right in saying Nicola has never been elected by the People. We have Jack a failed teacher as our leader. the Scottish parliment is Full of failed local councillors, and ex trade union officals.

If this is what an Independent Scotland will be governed by it's time to pack up and go. The point I was making was No one runs Scotland anymore

Val & Frank

Val & Frank

Val & Frank