Motorhome owners have defended their right to park next to the West Sands in St Andrews, after concerns were raised about the number of mobile homes parking there overnight during the summer.
The Courier reported last week that officials from Fife Council and the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust are faced with the challenge of helping tourists to enjoy the area while making sure they do not abuse the facilities by camping out in vast numbers overnight.
While it is not illegal to park there, concerns have been expressed by the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust that it is not sustainable for so many vehicles to park and empty their camper van toilets at the toilet blocks.
Concerns have also been raised by St Andrews Community Council and Fife councillors.
But The Courier has also been contacted by several motorhome owners.
Philip Russ, who describes himself as a “fan of the West Sands, visitor to St Andrews and law-abiding motor homer”, said: “I would like to put forward my point of view as a typical motor homer and as someone who has overnighted on West Sands many times.
“By typical, I mean retired, law-abiding, interested in nature and conservation and happy, willing and able to spend money on shopping, dining out and entertainment in the area local to where I park my motorhome overnight.
“The vast majority of motor homers fall into this bracket. Furthermore, us motor homers have modern, well equipped vehicles that are our pride and joy.
“Our only requirements are that we need to fill up with clean water and empty our ‘dirty water’ once every three to seven days (depending on usage).
“I live many hundreds of miles away but have many friends in St Andrews. I try to visit every year, pay homage to Old Tom, revere in the timeless challenge of the Old Course, run along the beach and dine out in some of the fine restaurants and bars.
“My motor home is self-contained. I cause no disturbance. I park up well away from anyone else. I leave only my tyre marks behind. By my presence I help regulate the anti-social behaviour of other groups ie the noisy boy racers who speed up and down West Sands, wheel spinning and performing handbrake turns on the grass, and the litter louts who think twice about leaving their smouldering barbecues and litter behind when there is someone encouraging them to clean up their mess.
“Why not improve the facilities at the toilet block? All that is required is an accessible outside tap and somewhere to empty the portaloo. In return, why not charge a couple of quid it would pay for itself in no time, sustainable in anyone’s terms.”
Others contacted The Courier website. Mike said: “I would suggest the council should look at providing suitable facilities for the motorhomes, as are available at other towns (Hawick), especially in mainland Europe, and have a charge to cover the costs.
“We should be encouraging tourists to the town. If a charge was applied it would prevent other “travelling people” misusing the facilities.”
Brakehorsepower said: “Why pay upwards of £25 when u can park up here for free, plus the expanse of view is far better than most sites.”
Yogi described being approached by a man who complained about his motorhome.
“He said he was fed up of people like me ‘freeloading’ and making the place a mess,” said Yogi. “I pointed out that I had spent £135 in St Andrews that day buying gifts and shopping in the supermarkets and also that when I would be leaving I would be leaving no trace of my being there. Pity the same couldn’t be said for the many cars that had parked up there that day.”