I have noticed quite a few of the campsites in Scotland are implementing a no tent policy for 2021. I'm making an assumption that this is something to do with the Covid restrictions around using communal facilities. The same sites seem to be taking Caravans and motorhomes.
Whats going on?
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We were on a site last week that we have stayed on before and it was completely full of caravans and motorhomes. There are usually 3 sets of wardens on site but we noticed that there were only 2 this time. My guess is that because the showers and a number of other communal facilities were not open, the third set of wardens was not needed due to less cleaning. I do wonder if some sites will start to think that not opening showers and other facilities is saving them a lot of money on staff for cleaning and if they can fill up the site with people who can use their own facilities, why bother opening the facilities again!
I can't remember the sites now, but when I was looking to book for June, I noticed a few sites who stated on their website that due to Covid, they wouldn't be opening their toiletblock for 2021. I did think it was an excuse rather than a proper reason as such, and that they'd probably thought they'd done ok while the blocks HAD to be closed, so they'd see if the trend would carry on. They were smaller sites from what I remember.
I can maybe understand a site not allowing people who don't have their own facilities, but barring tents is way out of order.
Whether or not you have your own facilities is one thing, but what camping unit you have is quite another. I have a caravan, but I only use my own facilities overnight, so I probably wouldn't go to a site that didn't have facilities open, but that is my choice. I don't agree with discrimination based on what unit you have, unless there are practical reasons such as caravans not permitted due to access problems on a small campsite.
Quote: Originally posted by Ina on 11/5/2021
I can't remember the sites now, but when I was looking to book for June, I noticed a few sites who stated on their website that due to Covid, they wouldn't be opening their toiletblock for 2021. I did think it was an excuse rather than a proper reason as such, and that they'd probably thought they'd done ok while the blocks HAD to be closed, so they'd see if the trend would carry on. They were smaller sites from what I remember.
Only time will tell.
This is exactly what I have seen. I can’t remember which site but one we were looking at for the summer in the South West stated that they were not opening their showers at all this year. If they can still fill the site this way, they may be tempted to keep it going!
------------- Pixie
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Quote: Originally posted by parahandy on 11/5/2021
I have noticed quite a few of the campsites in Scotland are implementing a no tent policy for 2021. I'm making an assumption that this is something to do with the Covid restrictions around using communal facilities. The same sites seem to be taking Caravans and motorhomes.
Whats going on?
Really?? Blair Drummond (Doune) had many tents staying this weekend, with lots of families, and all the facilities were open too - toilets, showers, laundry, pot wash, play area. Silvercraigs at Kirkcudbright ditto. Woodlands at Carnoustie ditto.
The sites are there for tents, from what I’ve seen. England & Wales will (I’m sure) have a similar mix of availability, because it seems to depend on the owners.
The roadmap does not allow sites to open their shower blocks until at least May 17th. It has now been confirmed that the date stands. Looking at random campsite websites they all state their full facilities including cafes & bars will be open from May 17th if allowed & it has now been confirmed by gov that it will be allowed on that date. If you want confirmation phone your chosen site. We are off to St Ives bay holiday park on Sunday. They have told me all sanitary facilities & eat in cafe & bar will be open from Monday.
C&CC club sites in England will not open their facilities blocks until 17 May, even though in theory they could allow the toilets and washing up areas to be opened from 12 April.
They allow tents and other units as long as they have their own facilities, and the toilet must be a chemical one. They allow a toilet/shower tent to be put up within the boundaries of the pitch.
I can understand why smaller sites said no to tents and units without their own facilities, if they can manage without the added cost of extra staff and hassle of cleaning of their shared facilities between 12 April and 17 May.
DK
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The 17th May is next Monday, only 4 days away but even if facilities are allowed to be open I will not feel safe using them for a very long time yet.
I have quite a large tent and I am quite capable of being self sufficient with a porta-loo and a bowl of hot water for washing, so I have no idea at all why some campsites feel it necessary to ban tents. It does seem a little discriminatory and I have not seen any explanation from any campsite as to exactly why.
A small campervan's facilities are no different than I can provide for myself in my tent, so why the discrimination?
If a campsite doesn't want to open it's facilities that is fine...just advertise that they can only accept units with their own facilities which should include tents.
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The OP asked about tents in Scotland. We have a different road map. Sites opened here later than England (26 April here) but our facilities are largely open, with obvious precautions. At Blair Drummond, the doors are all open (keypad not in use) to ensure ventilation, the facilities were cleaned very frequently, there was hand sanitiser everywhere. And all the tent pitches were occupied by families.
My two favourite sites are now allowing tents and the facilities will be open. One of the sites states the toilets and showers will be open but stipulates that face coverings will be worn at all times within the facilities block...can you get waterproof face masks and how do you clean your teeth?