Tourist hotspots are now introducing blanket bans on motorhomes and campervans amid soaring popularity. Many users only have themselves to blame for this, argues Herald columnist Alan Simpson.

It is fair to say that motorhomes are not to everyone’s taste and probably get more negative publicity than Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

In fact, they are probably the new Marmite, the beef spread that people either absolutely love or it makes them feel a bit sick when the lid of the jar comes off.

I am very much in the latter camp as I really don’t see the attraction. I’m much more of a Bovril man, particularly accompanied by a pie at some freezing football stadium somewhere.

But regardless where you stand on motorhomes, it is hard to argue against the fact that they are extremely popular and are no longer confined to the middle-aged travellers.

Routes such as the NC500 have made motorhomes far more attractive than they once were but with the rise in popularity has come increasing clashes with locals who are fed up with them.

It is not hard to see why rural residents have such a problem with them either.

However, they are here to stay but some common ground needs to be found so that they can co-exist with locals on remote, rural roads without incidents.

Now, according to a lobby group, blanket bans on campervans and motorhomes in tourist hotspots are “short-sighted” and would not be necessary with better facilities.

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Forbes on campervans: 'As a local Highlander, I do understand the frustrations'

'Suicide driving' on NC500 by 30-strong car tour sparks local anger

Letters: Communities should look at ways of cashing in on campervans, not banning them

The Campaign for Real Aires (Campra) said plans by several local authorities to ban the vehicles are........

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