Moray Council to trial overnight campervan parking in Burghead

The decision follows a public consultation earlier this year, which attracted over 2,200 responses. The majority of respondents supported the idea of designated overnight parking areas for campervans and motorhomes. Key findings included:

• 74% of Moray residents and 95% of non-Moray residents backed the introduction of an overnight stay scheme.
• Most agreed there should be a small charge, with £7 per night seen as reasonable.
• The proposed overnight period of 6pm to 10am was considered appropriate by over two-thirds of respondents.

The pilot will run during the 2026 season and aims to provide a safe, designated space for campervan visitors; support local tourism and the economy; test how well voluntary payment works; and gather feedback from users and the community.

The scheme will have clear rules:

• Overnight parking only (6pm–10am).
• Self-contained vehicles only.
• One-night maximum stay.
• No waste disposal facilities or outdoor setups (chairs, awnings).
• Voluntary payment of £7 via the council’s existing parking app.

Costs for the pilot will be covered by existing budgets, and any income will help offset signage and maintenance. After the trial, the council will review the results, including income, complaints, compliments, and community feedback, before deciding whether to expand the scheme to other sites.

Chair of the council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, Cllr Marc Macrae said: “This pilot is about finding a balance between welcoming visitors and respecting local communities. Burghead was chosen because it has nearby waste facilities and strong local support. We want to see how this works in practice before considering a wider rollout and I’ll watch the pilot with interest.”

More details will be available when the pilot is due to start.