We welcome visitors to Cumbrae, and ask that when you are here you respect our beautiful island so it can be enjoyed by others. While you may not think your visit has a big impact on our environment, the cumulative effect is noticeable, particularly in the summer when 100,000 people visit each month.
To help you enjoy your stay responsibly, your rights and responsibilities are summarised below.
The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 defines access rights over most land and inland water in Scotland. These rights are not unlimited. For example, they do not include motorised activities such as the use of motorhomes.
The Outdoor Access Code defines wild camping as “…lightweight, done in small numbers and only for two or three nights in any one place”. It is also clear that; “If public or private land owners restrict or regulate parking on their land, you must comply with this.”
It is an offence to leave litter in any public open place, or to light a fire so as to endanger any property or cause alarm or annoyance, or to permit polluting or solid waste matter to enter surface or groundwater.
If you bring anything with you, take it away when you leave. Bags left next to bins will be ripped open by birds and rubbish scattered across the countryside.
What are the restrictions on motorhomes, campervans and roof-top tents?
Staying in motorhomes, campervans and roof-top tents is not wild camping, and no access rights are given by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act.
NatureScot state: “Access rights do not extend to any motorised activities”. This includes campervans, motorhomes and roof-top tents. They refer to
guidance from the Campervan & Motorhome Professional Association CaMPA which states: “Where possible, we would always encourage motorhomes and campervans to stay on official campsites or designated motorhome parking areas.”
CaMPA defines ‘informal camping’ as camping on a spot that “…has the landowner’s permission but no fees are charged, or there may be a request for a donation to improve the land and facilities, but the informal camping spot is not regulated.” It criticises websites that share informal camping spots, which are causing problems because of the large numbers involved, and states: “We ask that you do not share an informal camping spot if you happen to need one, but instead support the camping sector and recommend approved camping locations.”
CaMPA recommend that: “If you are looking for somewhere to stay that offers a much quieter, discrete stay – look at some of the smaller private campsites and also have a look at the ‘Certified Locations’ (CL’s) listed on the bigger Club websites.”
How can you visit Cumbrae responsibly?
We strongly discourage staying overnight on the streets of Millport or in any of the parking areas around the island, and we are working with North Ayrshire Council to introduce ‘No Overnight Parking’ signs to make this clear. The island does not have the infrastructure in place to support large numbers of people staying overnight outside of official sites, preventing others from parking and accessing the beaches, leaving rubbish and other waste behind and causing damage to the landscape.
There are also caravan sites and many accommodation providers that you can find listed at:
https://millport.org/
